Set in a comfortable bourgeois household, the story follows Appala Narsayya, Gollapudi Maruti Rao, a modest clerk who shares his life with his devoted wife Godavari, Annapoorna, and their four children: Prakash, Sarath Babu; Raghava, Rajendra Prasad; Sarojini, Ilavarasi; and Kalidasu, Master Haja Sheriff. Close to them is the brave maid Chilakamma, Sowcar Janaki. Prakash is calculative & tight-fisted, counting every penny, while Uma, Suhasini Maniratnam, the generous wife, earns affection from all.
A marriage broker Neelakantham, Juttu Narasimham, arranges Sarojini's match with a garment shop owner's son. He comes with his son Eeswar Rao and daughter Vasantha, but Sarojini rejects it due to her conceit, making the bridegroom party walk away. The next day, Appala Narsayya visits Jaganatham to apologize, and Jaganatham signals that Raghava & Vasantha could be of interest, awakening a spark in Appala Narsayya who places some faith in Raghava. Upon returning home, Sarojini reveals she prefers Peter Samuel, a Catholic, a plan that shocks Appala Narsayya and Godavari. Yet Appala Narsayya agrees to give it a try after Edmund Samuel, Peter's father, lends his consent. Prakash, however, objects to the expense, but Uma smooths things over, and both weddings proceed.
Uma becomes pregnant and, meanwhile, Kalidasu finds his first infatuation with a girl named Meena who has just arrived from Bombay, teasing him as a silly boy. A rift grows between Raghava and Vasantha because she tutors Kalidasu, hindering their married life. Sarojini continues to belittle her father-in-law, and Peter rebukes her for her behavior. The couple eventually leaves the in-laws' apartment when Jaganatham demands they fulfill their conjugal duties. Raghava vows to repair the relationship, and Vasantha accompanies him.
Then a crisis erupts: Prakash's withdrawal of his financial support creates a split in the family. Appala Narasayya insists Prakash must leave and, in the process, takes early retirement and works day and night to cover debts, though Raghava resists offering help. Uma, however, returns with their newborn and, moved by the hardship, joins forces with Chilakamma and Godavari to heal the rift and restore balance. She visits Edmund Samuel, who confronts Chilakamma and even drafts divorce papers, only to be swayed by Uma's plea. He eventually reveals that Peter and his father deserve understanding and pardons them.
Uma also tries to bring back harmony between Raghava and Vasantha, prompting him to be more attentive to his wife. When Vasantha falls ill with smallpox, Kalidasu resolves to celebrate his exam success and goes to propose to Meena, who sadly returns to Bombay, leaving him distraught. Uma's mixed feelings reflect both progress and ongoing tensions: though the family’s quarrels lessen, the house still bears the marks of unresolved strife. Godavari steps in to shield Uma, and Appala Narasayya, in a moment of strain, momentarily declares Uma dead and asks others not to speak with him. That night, he drinks in his grief. Uma then takes the lead again, spending beyond the limit to heal the rift and reminding him that a joint family can be a source of strength.
In time, Appala Narasayya remits the funds and asks Prakash’s family to quit, but Uma argues that true unity lies beyond force. He hesitates, and Chilakamma reminds him that the family is all he has and that he should consider his legacy, not his adversaries. At last, Appala Narasayya welcomes Prakash back, but Uma stops him at the threshold, declaring that broken souls never truly reunite. She explains that her plan was to knit people together rather than press them into a single household. The aim is harmony and mutual care, not coercion. The family agrees to live with warmth and occasional visits, moving forward with cordial relations rather than forcibly reuniting under one roof. In the end, Prakash and Uma begin living separately while continuing to visit Appala Narsayya’s home on weekends, and the film closes on a hopeful note, affirming a renewed sense of family and belonging.
