Rich industrialist Rajasekar (Sivaji Ganesan) is a loving husband to Dhanam (Padmini) and father to three children. Their oldest son, Ravi, is a Collector and married to, Rajyalakshmi, a successful managing director of a company. Their youngest, Manju (Ilavarasi), is a brilliant college student aiming to become a doctor. Their middle child is the unambitious Kannan (Pandiarajan) who couldn't succeed academically and is now working as a labourer in his father's factory. Rajasekar, though he loves his son, is also bitterly disappointed in Kannan and keeps him at an emotional distance. He hopes by withholding affection, he can spur Kannan into becoming more ambitious and successful in life. Dhanam, on the other hand, appreciates that Kannan is kind, funny and considerate of others. She showers him with affection and tries to bridge the divide between father and son. Kannan learns that Manju is in love with fellow college student Ramesh (Pandiyan) and is supportive. When Rajasekar arranges Manju's marriage to Kumar (Vijayakumar), Kannan objects. However, Manju is too intimidated to go against her strict father and sacrifices her love to marry Kumar. Kannan's own love affair with the maid, Chellakili (Rohini) comes to light when she becomes pregnant. Unlike Manju, Kannan chooses love despite his father's displeasure at his actions. He and Chellakili marry and move out with the help of family friend, Ponnambalam (Visu).

Although he left the family home, Kannan is still desperate for his father's love and approval. Pakkiri (Vijay Krishnaraj (alias) R Krishnan), a fellow worker at the factory who's looking to stir up trouble, senses Kannan's desperation and convinces him to join the union. Father and son clash when the workers agitate for better conditions. Padmavathi (Sujatha), a labour relations officer, is called in to mediate. Rajasekar is perturbed as he once knew Padmavathi before his marriage. Padmavathi grows closer to Kannan and Chellakili as Rajasekar continues to take a strict stand with his son. A family tragedy brings matters to a head, forcing Rajasekar to re-evaluate his priorities.