Raja is a petty thief living around the streets of Bombay, indulging in pickpocketing. In the same city lives Rani who makes a living through dancing. The two meet and fall in love. Raghu, the owner of a cycle company, lives luxuriously with his wife Sarala and children in Madras. Madhu, his manager, has been misappropriating the company funds with the help of his lover Manorama who Raghu is later attracted to. The company is soon closed due to losses, putting Sarala and her children in poverty.

When Sattanathan, a corrupt lawyer, forces Vadivambal to marry his brother, a Chokkalingam Pillai arrives to rescue her and expose Sattanathan's activities.

Meenakshi, an unwed mother, leaves her baby in Nathan’s car after her lover, Moorthy, abandons her. Though Nathan takes care of the child, his girlfriend, Mohana, becomes suspicious of him.