Hussein tells the story of a young mahout - or elephant handler - his childhood and life in India and his relationship and adventures with his elephants. As a boy, Hussein falls in love with a beautiful elusive girl Sashiya - and arranges for another of her suitors to be murdered with a fakir's curse. The dead man's relatives vow vengence. Hussein escapes and his exploits - which include snake charming, sword fighting and cross-border spying - begin...