Dhavani Kanavugal

Subramani, an economics graduate, struggles to support five younger sisters in Coimbatore. He takes on menial jobs to make ends meet while poverty tightens its grip on the family. The burden of obligations shapes his early choices and outlook.

Captain Chidambaram, a retired army officer who owns a cycle shop, rents a room to Subramani. He is a well-wisher and counsels patience for the eldest sister, advising against settling for a mute groom. The arrangement sets the tone for the family's fragile finances.

Subramani clashes with manager Vinayaga Moorthy during a personal interview, resulting in a court case. Captain Chidambaram intervenes, arguing on Subramani's behalf and securing his release. The episode underlines the social hurdles he faces.

Poverty strains the family further as the fourth sister hesitates to reveal puberty due to added costs. Subramani's cousin, who loves him, provides covert support but ultimately faces family pressure that keeps Subramani tethered to his obligations.

With Chidambaram's help, Subramani secretly travels to Madras in search of work. In the city, a young woman pretends to be a police officer and persuades him to stay nearby, only to be revealed later as the daughter of Chidambaram's friend.

Subramani first attempts to break into the Tamil film industry as an actor but is rejected. He then turns to smuggling, only to meet with another string of failures. The period marks a low point before his fortunes change.

Subramani saves Chidambaram's friend's daughter from a group of miscreants, earning her affection. He does not reciprocate her feelings, keeping his focus on his own precarious career path.

To preserve the illusion that Subramani has found work, Chidambaram secretly sends money to his family through postman Ponnusami. He then suffers a heart attack but refuses surgery, choosing to allocate resources to Subramani's family instead.

Subramani is found unconscious on the street and is rescued by Chidambaram's friend's daughter, who offers him work in the film industry as a junior artist at a daily wage. This chance encounter becomes a turning point.

Chidambaram suffers a second heart attack and, on his plan to secure Subramani's future, transfers his properties to Subramani's mother's name and arranges a monthly stipend for Subramani's family. He also builds his own grave and expresses unwavering faith in Subramani's future success.

During a film shoot, Subramani impresses director Bharathiraja with his improvised dialogue, earning him the role of the film's hero and a writer's credit. The breakthrough marks the turning point of his cinematic journey.

On Bharathiraja's sister's advice, Subramani moves into Bharathiraja's house as his career begins to soar. The move places him at the center of a new social circle and opportunities.

Captain Chidambaram, now on his deathbed, asks that Subramani not be told about his condition so that he can remain focused on his career. The request underscores his confidence in Subramani's potential.

After Subramani's success, he arranges marriages for his three sisters. He also accepts the love of Chidambaram's friend's daughter, hoping to unite the families through happiness and shared support.

At the weddings, Subramani discovers that his sisters are not eager to marry the men he chose; they are in love with three other men who had helped him during his struggle—a tailor, a laundry man, and Postman Ponnusami. Subramani accepts them as brothers-in-law and blesses their marriages, uniting the extended circle.