Colour Photo

Deepthi receives the news that her father has died and travels with her husband Chandu to their ancestral village. They reunite with their family and confront the somber mood of homecoming. This event sets the stage for the revelations to come.

Ramaraju, Deepthi's brother and local sub-inspector, tries to speak to her but she shuts him out. She heads to Jayakrishna's house in his jeep, accompanied by Padmaja. They spot Murali and Deepika arguing, an echo of Deepthi's past and a reminder of the fragile relationship she is about to recount.

Jayakrishna, the son of a milkman, studies in the same college as Deepthi. He sees her rehearsing for a goddess role and falls in love, but keeps silent because of his darker skin and poorer background.

A year later, seniors trick Jayakrishna into Deepthi's rehearsal and beat him up for 'teasing girls.' Deepthi and her friends report the truth to the principal, and Jayakrishna escapes punishment but begins avoiding them to prevent rumors.

Deepthi confronts Jayakrishna and proposes to him; he asks to keep their relationship secret, and she agrees. With her encouragement, he confronts and defeats the bullies who beat him, gaining confidence and courage.

Padmaja and Bala Yesu learn about the relationship and agree to keep it hidden as well. They vow to protect the couple from additional scrutiny and interference.

At a college festival, the principal denies Jayakrishna a chance to speak on stage because of his skin color. He delivers a bold speech condemning color discrimination on stage before the chief guest, a foreigner who cannot understand Telugu.

The principal and the seniors enact revenge. On Deepthi's birthday, they trap the couple in an empty classroom and accuse them of an amorous relationship. Ramaraju becomes furious and expels Deepthi from the village; Jayakrishna is beaten badly.

Deepthi goes to collect her hall ticket and Jayakrishna arrives to escort her, leaving together as Ramaraju is trapped in the college with help from friends. The escape marks a turning point for the couple.

Feeling hopeful, Deepthi and Jayakrishna leave the college side by side, heading toward an uncertain future. Their bond strengthens despite the village's hostility.

Padmaja and Deepthi recount the true sequence of events: Jayakrishna was beaten, humiliated, and his certificates burnt by Ramaraju, effectively ending his college and career prospects. He also discovers Lakshmi the calf had been killed and cooked into beef biryani by Ramaraju, who misled him to think it was mutton; when Jayakrishna protested, Ramaraju broke his leg, leaving him lame.

Deepthi and Jayakrishna decide to commit suicide by poison after meeting again; Jayakrishna dies on the spot, and Deepthi is rescued by Ramaraju. The tragedy seals the narrative's themes of love, injury, and injustice.

Balu, their friend, is left devastated by the events and spirals into madness, unable to cope with the loss and chaos that followed the couple's downfall.

The film ends with Deepthi realizing there is no photo of Jayakrishna in the village; she draws his portrait and calls it the 'Colour Photo,' preserving his memory as a lasting emblem of their love and the tragedy they endured.