Set in the 1920s and 30s, the film delves into the lives of two talented theatre artists whose quest for glory becomes a game of one-upmanship fuelled by jealousy and sends their lives into a tailspin.

A young couple leads a group of hardworking, but poorly paid youngsters to fight for their rights. Jyothi (Mahesh) gives up his studies to support his family when his father dies early. He slaves away as a salesman in a textile store where he meets Kani (Anjali). The two join other young, exploited employees to stand up to lecherous store supervisor Karungali (A Venkatesh).