Viswanathan, T. S. Balaiah, is an arrogant, money-minded estate owner who lives in a bungalow named Chinnamalai Estate near Pollachi. His son, Chellappa, an aspiring filmmaker, is the antithesis of his father, voicing his displeasure at his father's arrogance. Viswanathan also has two daughters studying in Madras: Kanchana and Nirmala. Kanchana is in love with her collegemate Vasu. The sisters return home after completing their education.
One day, while the sisters are sightseeing, a battered car driven by Ashok, an assistant manager at their father's estate, bumps into their car. The sisters quarrel with Ashok and are annoyed by his insolence. Later, they force Viswanathan to fire him. Infuriated, Ashok pitches a tent overlooking their bungalow and begins a strike to reclaim his job. Nirmala accidentally drops a bucket on Ashok's head. Feeling guilty, she visits Ashok's tent to apologise and they fall in love.
Viswanathan had always planned to get his daughters married to wealthy men. Ashok realises that because he is poor, he has no chance of becoming a prospective groom. Nirmala loves him, but she does not wish to be with him against her father's wishes. He calls up his friend, who happens to be Vasu, to pose as his wealthy father. Vasu arrives at Chinnamalai and agrees to help. He disguises himself as a rich, old man named Chidambaram. When Kanchana is introduced to Vasu in disguise, he is shocked because he believes Ashok loves Kanchana, but he discovers to his relief that Ashok is in love with Nirmala.
Meanwhile, Chellappa starts a film production house called Oho Productions. Unable to earn anyone's faith in his capabilities, he handles the filmmaking himself. Chellappa unsuccessfully tries to persuade his father to finance his film; he engages the estate manager's daughter, Meenalochni, to play the heroine in his film. Chellappa selects Ashok for the film's screenplay and asks "Chidambaram" to fund it. When the film does not progress as expected, Meenalochni's father forces Chellappa to marry her. Chellappa initially refuses but realising he has no choice, he accepts the offer.
On a short trip, "Chidambaram" reveals his true identity as Vasu to Viswanathan's daughters, who agree to play along. Viswanathan, believing Ashok is the only heir of a millionaire, asks Kanchana's consent to marry him. When Kanchana rejects the proposal, Viswanathan asks Nirmala, who happily accepts. Sachidanandam, who is buying a nearby estate, is referred to Viswanathan and arrives in Chinnamalai. They meet and discover that they are childhood friends.
Believing it would be inappropriate to marry off his younger daughter while the elder one is still unmarried, Viswanathan arranges Kanchana's marriage to Vasu, who meets his father but is unable to reveal his true identity to prevent getting caught. When Sachidanandam returns to Madras to make the wedding preparations, he finds that there has been no word from his son, who left for Coimbatore weeks before. Sachidanandam almost cancels the marriage when Vasu makes a telephone call in the nick of time and approves the union.
Sachidanandam's car breaks down, and he takes shelter in a school teacher's hut until it is fixed. There, he finds a photograph of Ashok and realises he is the teacher's son. Suspecting Ashok of foul play to usurp Viswanathan's riches, Sachidanandam files a complaint. Vasu and Ashok are held in custody by the police. As Sachidanandam arrives at the police station, the truth behind the impersonation is revealed and he withdraws his complaint. When his daughters refuse to part with their lovers, Viswanathan realises their love and agrees to their request to get married.
