Thyagarajan (Sivaji Ganesan) is an affluent industrialist and is subjected to a deep seated trauma in the form of witnessing the death of a childhood playmate which is caused by his possessiveness. Thyagarajan meets and becomes close friends with a virtuous man Sekar (S. S. Rajendran) and there is a well grown sense of mutual admiration and fondness amongst the friends. Sekhar sincerely loves Vanambadi (a pseudo name of Saroja Devi, her original name being Meena). One day, when Thyagu was monitoring the estate, he sees Meena and instantly falls in love with her and tells this to Sekar. Sekar, unknown that the women mentioned is none other than his lover, promises to Thyagu that he will arrange for his marriage. Eventually after a while Sekar comes to know about this and realizing the extent of love, Thyagu asks Meena to forgo their feelings and that she should go ahead and marry Thyagu. Meena obliges to this and also promises to Sekar that she will conceal their past relationship from Thyagu. Ironically, Thyagu is injured in a serious accident and ends up being a cripple. Meena pitches in the effort to care for Thyagu and spends all her time in his care. Thyagu then reveals his awful and deadly past to Meena. At one point of time, Thyagu doubts that there could be a relationship between Sekar and Meena and decides to kill Sekar. Sekar reveals the truth and now full of guilt, Thyagu decides to commit suicide. He also informs that his last wish would be to see Sekar and Meena married and falls off a death rock. After few days, presuming Thyagu has died, Sekar decides to marry Prema, who sincerely loves him from the beginning of the story. Meena decides to end her life from the same point where Thyagu died. Thyagu who is indeed alive comes to her rescue. He has also got back his legs from the the shock he suffered during the fall from death rock. Thyagu and Meena unite.