Ranganayaki (Arati) is a popular artiste in a drama troupe owned by her father and brother. When a rich young man (Ashok) falls in love with her and wishes to marry her, she reluctantly bids adieu to her profession. A few years later, when Ranganayaki, by a twist of circumstances, dons the role of the heroine in a play for a day, her husband leaves her, taking with him their young son. Ranganayaki returns to the drama troupe. The audience for theater having dwindled, she accepts an offer to act in a movie, and changes her name to Mala. Twenty years later, a good looking young man (Ramakrishna) befriends Mala, who is an established movie heroine and becomes besotted by her. Mala who is now in her forties, feels maternal affection for the young man. As their relationship evolves, the movie industry becomes abuzz with rumours of an affair. Mala has a chance meeting with her estranged husband. While she has remained unmarried despite her stardom, he has remarried and moved on. Mala wishes to meet her son. Her husband is reluctant, since he has not disclosed her identity to their son. The series of incidents that follow set the stage for the tragic end of the quintessential heroine. The movie, ahead of its times, also deals with the Oedipus complex with a finesse characteristic of director Puttanna Kanagal.