Pavitra Story

The film begins in a village where Pavitra, a decent and hardworking young woman, struggles to survive with her drunkard father Narasimha and her three little siblings. Kishtaiah, a local ruffian, reforms himself after meeting Pavitra, and the two fall in love. However, Narasimha humiliates Kishtaiah, demanding a bride price, prompting him to leave for the city to earn money. Meanwhile, Chandraiah, the disabled but noble son of wealthy Raghavaiah, enters Pavitra’s life through an arranged marriage set up by Gopalam, Narasimha’s corrupt associate and Chandraiah’s brother-in-law. Though reluctant, Pavitra agrees to marry Chandraiah as her family faces starvation. At her in-laws’ home, she gradually grows close to Chandraiah, who vows not to touch her without her consent. Despite enduring the cruelty of his stepmother Durga and sister Urmila, Pavitra begins to admire her husband’s integrity, while fending off Gopalam’s lecherous advances.

Kishtaiah returns, devastated by Pavitra’s marriage, but unknowingly helps protect Chandraiah from danger, getting injured in the process. Chandraiah shelters him, which creates emotional tension between the three. Aware of their love, Chandraiah nobly declares that Pavitra and Kishtaiah should reunite. Later, when Gopalam attempts to assault Pavitra, Chandraiah defends her but is fatally stabbed. Before dying, he affirms Pavitra’s innocence against Gopalam’s slander, but Raghavaiah initially expels her. Once Gopalam’s schemes are exposed, he is cast out, and Chandraiah’s sacrifice becomes clear. In the end, Pavitra weeps before Chandraiah’s devout soul and chooses to honor his memory, while Kishtaiah quietly leaves the village, brokenhearted.