Plot

An innocent dreamer, Thilagam works as a cook at the house where Venkatachalam& his sister, Indumathi's live. She is coveted by the slow-witted deaf household help, Kasi @ Sevudan (Deaf man) as well as Venkatachalam. In this setting enters Sanjeevi, a modern chap rooted in communist ideals who constantly meddles with the men-hating Indumathi. One fine day, Thilagam becomes pregnant and a riveting drama ensues.—PipingHotViews

Sanjeevi, a smart young man, arrives to see his friend Venkatachalam, who is staying with his sister Indumathi, along with a beautiful maid Thilagam and a slow-witted but kind servant Kasi. Sumithra, who got rejected by a man years ago, has become an ardent feminist man-hater (except for her brother), which amuses Sanjeevi and gives him scope for banter and wit with her. The two fall in love with each other, though Indumathi vehemently denies it for most of the film.

Venkatachalam becomes enamored of his maid Thilagam and seduces her. She becomes pregnant, but Venkatachalam refuses to marry her. Kasi, who is secretly in love with Thilagam, claims Sanjeevi is her baby's father, which means he is sentenced to marry Shobha. Sanjeevi is enraged at his position, but goes ahead after Kasi pleads with him to save Thilagam from social disgrace.

Sanjeevi sends Thilagam to live with Kasi till her pregnancy is over. Kasi tenderly looks after her, and when his community starts to inquire about her presence in his home, he tells them she is his wife to protect her (back in 1978 unwed motherhood was considered a disgrace in India). Eventually Indumathi learns the truth about her brothers guilt and Sanjeevi's innocence, and flies into a rage and demands Venkatachalam marry Thilagam for the dignity of womanhood.

Venkatachalam is finally persuaded to marry Thilagam, and comes to see her after her baby is born. However Thilagam rejects him, as all he did was get her pregnant and afterwards he never even came around to see her; Kasi on the other hand not only stayed with her but cared for her, and she considers him a more worthy choice as a husband and father. An enraged Venkatachalam fires them both, but Sanjeevi approves of Thilagam's choice and sets up a job for Kasi to support his now-wife and child.

The film ends with Sanjeevi leaving town, picking up Indumathi on the outskirts after she asks him to take her along.