Thavathiru Sivadas Swamigal (Nassar) runs a drama troupe in which Thalaivankottai Kaliappa Bhagavathar (Siddharth (actor)) and Melachivilberi Gomathi Nayagam Pillai(Prithviraj Sukumaran) are his direct disciples. Gomathi is left by his father in the troupe of Swami. Kali is found by Swami during a train trip where the boy is singing and begging alms. Impressed by his singing talents, Swami takes the boy with him. Gomathi and Kaliappa have relationship like brothers. They grow up together and stage many plays where Gomathi often plays "Sthripart" - the female role and Kali plays "sidepart"- supporting characters. While Vadivambal (Vedhicka) joins as the female member in the group, soon falls in love with Kali, while Gomathi falls for Vadivu, however, Kali loves Rangamma (Anaika Soti), the princess of the zameen. Bhairava (Ponvannan) who is another student of Swami is a popular "Rajapart" - performing main title characters of a stage play. He becomes headstrong over his acting capabilities and does not attend the rehearsals for which he gets scoldings from Swami. After a quarrel, he leaves the troupe as he could not bear the torture of Swami. Swami does not give up and conducts an audition for the main character role of Soorapadman in which Kali and Gomathi perform. Kali gets selected, which leaves Gomathi angry. The reason behind Swami's bias towards Kali is never answered clearly to Gomathi which leaves him more frustrated.