Radha, a wealthy young woman, visits Suseela, her friend in Madras who is participating in a contest, and writes a song for her. The paper on which Radha has written the song blows away and lands near the neighbouring house, where an aspiring singer Ravi Kumar and his friend Selvam live. Ravi finds the paper, writes music to accompany Radha's song and sings it which Radha overhears. Impressed, she anonymously helps Ravi get a chance to sing at the inauguration of a temple and to win a chance to perform in a television programme.

When Ravi meets Radha for the first time at the television studio, he composes and sings a song praising her in the programme, which is publicly appreciated. Radha uses her contacts to get Ravi work singing for a film; he achieves instant success and fame, and moves to a spacious house. Radha continues to support Ravi in every activity and his career grows. When Radha's father wants to arrange her marriage with his sister's son Mohan, she says she wants to marry Ravi but waits for the right time to tell Ravi. Though Ravi admires Radha, he has not yet expressed his love to her.

Radha becomes restless when Ravi goes on tour; he returns earlier than scheduled but does not contact Radha and avoids her. At a function held to honour him, Ravi claims sole responsibility for his success, much to Radha's disappointment. Radha is anxious; she meets Ravi to share her father's plan for her marriage, hoping she will be able to express her love for him. Ravi does not react; he cheerfully tells her he would sing at her wedding for free as a token of gratitude, shattering Radha. Unable to see his daughter's depression, Radha's father arranges for her to marry Mohan.

When Mohan lands in Madras, Ravi, his acquaintance, gives him a lift to a function. Mohan, a doctor, tells Radha and her father, who are waiting for him, Ravi is his patient and has been diagnosed with terminal blood cancer. Radha is shocked and tries to contact Ravi, who does not respond to her calls because he wants her to think he is ungrateful and to marry someone else. She calls Ravi again; Mohan picks up the telephone and learns she and Ravi were in love. When Radha calls again, Mohan allows Ravi to speak to Radha, who says she has consumed poison because she does not want to live without him. Mohan and Ravi rush to Radha's house, only to see her die. Traumatised, Ravi also dies.