The plot centres on Kangeyan, a young villager played by Rajinikanth, and his fight for justice in the killing of his brother. Mallika, the Pannaiar family's daughter, captures Manickam's heart. When Mallika's marriage to Dorai (played by Raghuvaran) is arranged, she refuses and confesses her love for Mannikam. They are married in the village by Kangeyan. In order to destroy Manickam, the priest poses as having divine abilities and appeals to the peasants' superstitions. Mallika's childhood buddy Pandian, a cart driver, is chosen as her new husband by Kangeyan because he doesn't want to see her as a widow. Dorai steps in once more, using superstition this time, and Kangeyan learns the truth about the circumstances surrounding the death of his brother, exposing the priest, and Dorai losing his lover in the process.
