The story of Koyla (coal) is set on a background of coal mines. The supreme leader of the town is Raja (Amrish Puri). the innocent people look up to the Rajasaab and worship him like God. But the monstrous two-faced Raja along with his eccentric brother Brijwa (Salim Ghouse) secretly terrorizes and kills those very people. Shankar (Shah Rukh Khan) is humble and mute servant of Rajasaab and unaware of Rajas evil ways. One fateful day Rajas eyes fall upon Gauri (Madhuri Dixit) a simple village belle. Driven by lust to possess her, he conspires to marry her by sending a photograph of Shankar along with a marriage proposal. Gauri instantly falls in love with Shankar and fantasizes about being his bride. On the marriage day Gauri spots Shankar in the crowed and finds Raja as the groom. Shocked she faints, but Raja grabs her and completes the wedding ceremony. Gauri never submits to Raja and she is kept under guard at all times. One day she tries to hang herself, but Shankar breaks into her room and saves her. She comes to his hut that night and she lights a flame in front of the Gods. A flame of love which would envelope them both in fire. Gauris brother returns from Dubai and comes to see her. Inspite of all the suffering Gauri puts a smiling face. But, Shankar stops her brother and tells him everything. While attempting to rescue his sister her brother is killed by Raja. While dying he turns to Shankar and pleads with him to protect his sister. Shankar grabs hand of his lover and escapes from the mansion to the jungles. Raja uses everything in his power - helicopter, army jeeps, armed gunmen - to hunt Shankar and Gauri out of the jungles. Finally they fall prey to Raja. The innocent Gauri is arrested and Shankar is brutally beaten and thrown off the cliff. Shankar and Gauri are separated. But does the tale end there? If yes then who is eliminating all of Rajas men one by one? Has Shankar returned from the dead? Who is the person terrorizing Raja with his voice? If undying faith can move mountains, if true love can overcome all obstacles.... then Shankar is back! Back to his life. Back to his love. Back to finish and old forgotten story. A story that began wiht one single piece of coal.
