Duplicate is essentially a movie about two men, one good and one bad but who coincidentally have the same face. Babloo (Shahrukh Khan) is basically a daydreamer and aspires to a chef on international repute. He is forever daydreaming of cooking at 5 star establishments. Manu Dada (Shahrukh Khan) on the other hand is a ruthless criminal on the run. Babloo is in love with Sonia (Juhi Chawla) who is the Banquet Manager of an up-scale hotel.

She is always a part of his dreams. He wishes to take her abroad and settle down. Manu romances with a cabaret dancer Lilly (Sonali Bendre). Babloo and Manu's tracks keep alternating till they converge at the interval point of the film. After which Manu takes advantage of the innocent Babloo and continues his violent escapades using Babloo's identity. Babloo eventually retaliates and seeks revenge.

Will Babloo defeat Manu? Will he reach his goals and make all his dreams come true? And what happens to Manu?