Summary

When we first see Mayilu (Sridevi), she has just passed her 10th standard exam and dreams of becoming a teacher. Chappaani (Kamalhassan), a simpleton, is looked after by Mayilu's mother Kuruvammaa (Kanthimathi) and earns his living doing all kinds of jobs for the people of the village - including giving a weekly oil massage to Parattai(Rajnikanth), the village rowdy. Kuruvamma affectionately refers to Chappaani as her son-in-law, on account of which he dreams of one day wedding Mayilu. Mayilu falls for the doctor who dumps her (saying that what he was after was not her but her sweet sixteen). Parattai spreads rumors about Mayilu's affair with the doctor. A heartbroken Kuruvammaa dies and Mayilu falls ill. She is nursed back to health by Chappaani and finally realises his worth and how much he loves her..