Ghaani is the story of Shamsu and his family. Shamsu is a traditional oil miller - as have been his forefathers. They are poor folk, whose life revolves around the Ghaani (oil mill/treadle). There are moments of joy and periods of darkness in their lives, as is the case in all families. Shamsu's elder brother Afsu plans a wedding for his beloved son, only to learn that he's been killed in a riot in Dhaka. He refuses to face reality and slowly loses his mind. Shamsu carries on, the oil mill has to keep producing... Shamsu's son Bozlu is in love with Moyna, and the family chips in with all their resources to get them married. The laughter and fun of the wedding again gives way to reality as debts have to be paid and the mill must continue to produce oil.. Then one day the bull that drives the mill is stolen. As the mill stops working, the family faces starvation. Until in desperation Shamsu yokes young Moyna to the mill to run it. Bozlu is livid and goes beserk. He tries to steal a bull, is caught and the family publicly humiliated. With no alternative before them, Bozlu and Moyna yoke themselves and start running the mill, for the mill must continue to run...