Nirmala (Padmini) is a poor but talented young dancer who falls in love with a rich man's son Sekar (Gemini Ganesan), but he is forced to marry a rich man's daughter Prathiba (Tambaram Lalitha). Nirmala promises to her lover that she will never dance in public. Due to various circumstances, Sekar's house is up for auction, and in order to save him, she performs in public. With the money thus earned, she saves his house, but Sekar is unaware of this. When he learns the truth, he begins searching of her, and in the meantime, Prathiba, who is now reformed, commits suicide. Sekar meets Nirmala, who is on the verge of committing suicide, and they are reunited.

Paalum Pazhamum is a 1961 Tamil-language film directed by A. Bhimsingh and featuring Sivaji Ganesan, B. Saroja Devi, Sowcar Janaki and others. Sivaji is a doctor searching for a cancer cure. Saroja Devi is Sivaji's nurse assistant. Sivaji offers to marry her after her father's death. Saroja Devi assists him in his research. After putting in enormous efforts, Sivaji emerges successful in formulating a new drug but Saroja Devi is diagnosed with tuberculosis. Sivaji neglects his duties as a doctor and starts focusing more on Saroja Devi's health. Saroja Devi flees on a train as she does not wish to divert him from his research.