Dosti told a story of two boys, Ramu (Sushil Kumar) and Mohan (Sudhir Kumar). Ramu becomes a cripple due to an accident while Mohan is blind. The two earn a living by singing and playing the mouth organ.

Both actors play their parts convincingly. One of the film's highlights is the music -- scored by newcomers Laxmikant-Pyarelal -- especially songs like Chahoonga mein tumein, Teri dosti mera pyar, Janewale zara and Rahi manava dukh ki chinta.

Even though Dosti won a National Award for Best Film, it did nothing for the actors' careers. Dosti was one of Sushil Kumar's earliest films, and his last.

Sudhir Kumar featured in only two films after this -- Love (1991) and Dulhe Raja (1998).

Only the producers -- Rajshri Films, makers of the hit Hum Aapke Hain Kaun...! -- composers L-P and an actor who played one of the smaller roles -- Sanjay Khan, Hrithik Roshan's pa-in-law and Zayed Khan's pa -- profited from the film's success.