Maila, a basket weaver, his wife Maile, and seven-year-old son Bindray live a simple village life in the mountainous region of eastern Nepal. When a road to their village is finally built, they see it as a blessing. Soon, along with the first bus, soda, television, and hip hop beats arrive. But as modern amenities creep in, Maila's life begins to unravel. He's trapped between sticking to tradition at home or going beyond the village to survive.Meanwhile Bindray uses his resourcefulness to get closer to the gifts the the new road brings. Ultimately Maila and Maile must figure out how to continue in a world that is leaving them behind.
The central characters of Jaari are Namsang(Dayahang Rai) and Hangma(Miruna Magar), a married Limbu couple. After a brief argument with her spouse Namsang, Hangma chooses to leave him by giving back his Yuparung (a sacred coin). She then marries a different man after falling in love with him. The jaari is claimed by Namsang and his family, but Hangma's family refuses to pay, forcing Hangma into slavery in Namsang's household until the jaari is paid.