A multicultural group of nine strangers on route to India find themselves trapped in the basement of a San Francisco Indian visa office after an earthquake. A few threaten to ruin the group’s unity until Uma, an Indian photographer and peacemaker proposes they share one compelling story from their life. As they begin to unravel the secrets that haunt them, they discover a new way to live again.

The film opens in San Francisco on Valentine’s Day when Uma, our protagonist gives her boyfriend a vague shrug after he proposes to her. She makes her way to the San Francisco Indian Consulate where she waits in line for her visa. Surrounding her are the other visa applicants.

Meet Tariq, a young Muslim ­American threatens to tear the group apart and then save himself. We learn that he lost his father in the racial aftermath of 911. Jiang, an elderly Chinese immigrant was forced to give up on true love when her family lived in India during the 1960’s Indo Chinese war when they were forced to live in internment camps. Lily, her goth punk teenage Chinese American granddaughter has practically given up on life while she grieves for her college going brother who she lost to a drug overdose.

Mr. and Mrs. Pritchett, a Caucasian elderly couple are on the verge of a marital breakdown due to the deep rooted disconnects of love in their own lives. Mangalam, a mid aged Indian visa officer loved for the wrong reasons. His young secretary Mala lost her previous job in order to stand up for what was right and protect innocent love in her home country of India. Cameron, a retired Vietnam army vet grieves over his aborted child tries to control the group.

An earthquake strikes as the group of strangers become restless in line for their visas. Amidst repetitive aftershocks the basement begins to flood as the oxygen levels decrease. Initially they fight for air, food and water supplies. In an attempt to take their mind off the situation Uma proposes that everyone share ‘one amazing story’ that has happened to them.

As they reveal the rifts in their past through stories of loss, courage and love, new hope springs and their differences melt. They bond over tears, open up to one another and share dwindling resources of water, food and medicine. The movie ends with the rescued strangers celebrating Uma’s photography exhibition showcasing pictures of the earthquake and one another.