Raees (Shah Rukh Khan) is a bright child who manages to learn the tricks of supplying illegal alcohol in the dry state of Gujarat. Soon, the young boy grows out of the shell and starts his own illegal empire of selling alcohol across the state. His charming antics and intelligence makes him conduct his business, to which he calls it Dhanda with utmost pride and gains success. Raees does not let anyone come in the way of his alcohol trade, not even the Police and the Politicians.

Until one day when ACP Majumdar (Nawazuddin Siddiqui), a no nonsense cop gets transferred to Fatehpur. Then begins the cat and mouse chase between the two.