A rich girl, Ganga, falls in love with the leading student of the college, Ranganathan. Ranganathan's elder sister is unmarried and she is the breadwinner, with widowed mother and a school-going sister, forcing him to conceal his love affair from his elders and promising Ganga, who is aware of the growing friction in their family, of a better turn of events. Ganga is attracted towards that family, for parents (Vijayan) and (CID Shakuntala) are "society birds" paying little attention to their daughter, who longs for their love and care.

The rich college bully Prem Kumar is the only son of widower Balasubrahmaniam. Prem Kumar and student chairman Ranganathan often clash with each other, both seeking the hand of Ganga. Prem really loves Ganga despite her hatred for him following his unethical approaches and humiliations; he engineers to ridicule the Ranga-Ganga love, which queers the pitch in the former's home.

Ranga and Ganga learn through Prem's father of the affliction that is taking Prem to the doorsteps of death and request them to be kind with him, which brings Ganga closer to Prem, making her see the other side of the ruffian who has been doting on her a series of his paintings of her bearing testimony to that. Ganga is swayed by these developments and is unable to decide which one loves her more, the sympathy aspect also playing a part.

Climax reveals Ganga's selection of partner, Prem or Ranga?