The year is 1929. The construction of a railway connecting Central Asia and Siberia is in full swing in Kazakhstan. This highway threatens the age-old way of life of the inhabitants of the steppe, where gangs of Basmachi still operate. The heroes of the film are the chief engineer of the Dzhungarov construction site and an elder of a large family, bai Sarybura. The fate of both is developing dramatically, both, each in their own way, are interested in the early completion of the Turksib.

Old Kozhabek is going through grief — his son Sultan was killed in a car accident. After a while, Kozhabek finds out that he has a grandson. The hero goes to the city to find a boy and a woman, to whom he is ready to atone for his son's guilt.