Muniyandi, a cycle-rickshaw puller, is a road-side dweller who lives with his wife Valliamma, Tambaram Lalitha, and their seven children — two daughters and five sons. Despite being the family’s sole breadwinner, he spends the majority of his meager earnings on liquor, leaving Valliamma to struggle to stretch every rupee. Her friend Rakkamma, S. N. Parvathi, a street food vendor, helps when money is tight and lends crucial support to Valliamma’s family, acting as a quietly steady presence in a harsh, crowded world.
The household faces more strain when Krishna, one of Muniyandi’s educated sons, elopes with a girl and parts ways with the family. Meanwhile, Kuppamma, Kuppamma, Shoba along with her friend Chellamma, Chellamma, Pasi Sathya, contribute a small income by scavenging for rags on the roads. In time, Kuppamma’s path intersects with Rangan, a lorry driver who befriends her and offers help whenever she needs it, and their friendship deepens into a relationship. Rangan’s involvement forces Valliamma to confront the possibility of disgrace for the family, and the situation drives her to take a drastic step — she commits suicide to spare the others from social judgment and stigma.
As the relationship between Kuppamma and Rangan evolves, she discovers that he is already married. Choosing not to reveal his identity, she keeps her distance while carrying his child. Despite the better judgment of fellow roadside dwellers who urge abortion, Kuppamma refuses to terminate the pregnancy. She also shields Rangan by telling relatives that her lover died in an accident, preserving his name only in the most oblique manner. With the delivery approaching, Kuppamma longs to meet Rangan, only to learn that he has moved to another locality after she refused his continued support.
Rangan’s wife learns of the affair, yet she responds with empathy and urges her husband to bring Kuppamma to their home, seeking some form of resolution. When Rangan finally locates the slum, he finds Kuppamma in the throes of labour. She dies soon after giving birth to their child, and in a final act of penance and compassion, Rangan and his wife decide to adopt the newborn, trying to atone for the wrongs that unfolded in a life marked by poverty, secrecy, and complicated loyalties.
