After Mangala's husband is sent to prison on a false charge, she, being poor, is targeted by Jeeva who approaches her under the pretext of helping her, but wants sexual favours from her.

A CID officer disguises himself as a music teacher to rescue a kidnapped film star from a school and, in the process, save the country.

The film is based on two couples – where the first couple Dr. Chandra Shekar (Gemini Ganesan) & Parvathi (Anjali Devi) and the second couple is Ravi (A. Nageswara Rao) & Lakshmi (Savitri). Ravi & Lakshmi are happy lovers. Ravi is summoned and asked to marry another girl forcibly. Since his father's life & honor are at stake, Ravi agrees to the marriage. Simultaneously another marriage takes place in the same village Dr. Chandra Shekar visits his best friend's sister marriage but the marriage cancels in the last moment due to dowry problems to keep up his friend's prestige Shekar marriage's his sister called Parvathi. Due to sudden marriage, the couple doesn't see each other. Thereby because marriage is happening without his wish Ravi also not seen the bride's face. Both the bridal parties traveling on the same train which run into a disastrous accident. In the accident Ravi's parents and wife are dead.

Ethirpaaraathathu narrates the story of star-crossed lovers Sundar (Sivaji Ganesan) and Sumathi (Padmini) in whose house Sundar, a college student, lodges. Both dream of a happy, married life, but that is not to be. Sundar is involved in an air crash and is believed to be dead. However, he survives the crash and loses his eyesight. Unwilling to face his father (Nagaiah), he tries to lead a life on his own. Destiny takes over their lives and the widowed father marries Sumathi and on the wedding night, the husband realises that his son and bride are sweethearts. Broken-hearted, he leaves home and wanders around visiting temples and holy places.

A thief breaks into a wealthy man's house unaware that the man is his father, who had abandoned his mother and him a long time ago.