Dancer Chitra and prince of Uraiyur Manivannan fall in love with each other after meeting in a dance competition.

Unable to bear his mother being insulted, Manivannan goes to the Chola kingdom and abducts Karpagavalli.

[6] The Indian Express wrote "the story could have been very well developed in a different way [..] Anyway the picture is replete with romance, dance and fight" and praised the performances of star cast including Padmini.

[8] Despite facing competition from Kairasi, Petra Manam, and Paavai Vilakku, released on the same day,[9] the film became a commercial success.

It achieved cult status in Tamil cinema, and the song "Achcham Enbadhu Madamaiada" helped Ramachandran become a "cultural icon".