Manjula, a young village girl, aspires to be a stage actress and become popular one day. Manjula parents are against her wishes. The story centers around the struggling Ganapathy Drama Troupe. Driven by her passion for acting, Manjula leaves home with her friend Amudha and joins the drama company where Amudha works.On the other side, P.S. Vadhanam is from a wealthy family and owns P.S. Vadhanam and Company. A true modernist, he spends his time conducting scientific research at home, dreaming of inventions like driverless cars and automated retail shops. While his aunts constantly pressure him to marry their daughters, he shows no interest.Meanwhile, the drama troupe is drowning in debt and constantly raided by debt collectors. Adding to the chaos, Amudha had bought sarees on credit from the owner of Ajantha Silk Palace, who also arrives to collect his dues.As events unfold, Manjula accepts a ride in P.S. Vadhanam's car courtesy of his driver. Members of the drama troupe and the textile shop owner mistake this for a romantic relationship between Manjula and Vadhanam. Hoping to benefit from Vadhanam in the future, the textile shop owner gifts more sarees to Manjula.When Vadhanam receives the unexpected saree bill, he visits the theatre to investigate. Driven by jealousy, a rival actress complains to her brother, a newspaper editor, urging him to write a damaging article about Manjula and Vadhanam. To investigate the story, the editor also visits the theatre troupe. Amidst the ensuing confusion, Manjula mistakes Vadhanam for a journalist.In the events that follow, the wealthy man falls in love with her. She faces numerous problems, and the rest of the plot explores how she and her boyfriend solve them.
Kathanayaki was released on 19 February 1955. According to historian Randor Guy, the film was not successful as some critics felt it had a "predictable" storyline.
References
↑Neelamegam, G. (2014). Thiraikalanjiyam— Part 1 (in Tamil) (1sted.). Chennai: Manivasagar Publishers. p.86.
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