Set in the 1980s, Zaavazavi revolves around the lives of Dalit (formerly known as 'untouchable') laborers in a rural Maharashtra village. The story centers around two protagonists, Ganpat (played by Dilip Prabhavalkar) and his sister, Baban (played by Vaishali Mhade). The duo challenges the oppressive social hierarchy and fights against the injustices inflicted upon them by the upper-caste villagers.