Uthiripookkal

An affluent but cruel villager who runs the local school with an iron fist. He siphons school funds for his own needs and disrespects family, neighbors, and in-laws. He seeks to marry Shenbagam and uses debt and manipulation to pressure Thambusamy. His arrogance escalates to public humiliation when he forcibly exposes Shenbagam, provoking the village's wrath. Toward the end, he is remorseful for turning the village peaceful into a mob, shares a tender moment with his children, and drowns himself.

Sundaravadivelu's chronically ill wife living in a brittle household. She endures his controlling behavior and the social stigma of debt and illness. When tensions peak, she seeks help from others but is driven to separate from her children. Unable to withstand abandonment, she dies, highlighting the human cost of patriarchal oppression.

Thambusamy's daughter who falls in love with Prakash. She faces Sundaravadivelu's disapproval and pressure to marry within his terms. Shenbagam seeks custody of the children to care for them, challenging the patriarchal order. She is publicly humiliated by Sundaravadivelu, which galvanizes the villagers to confront him.

A new teacher who falls for Shenbagam. He proposes to Shenbagam and is accepted by Thambusamy. Prakash informs Sundaravadivelu that the school’s management plans to take action against mismanagement. He represents a moral counterpoint to Sundaravadivelu’s tyranny and supports Shenbagam’s agency.

Lakshmi's father and Shenbagam's father, a pensioner who endures Sundaravadivelu's debt harassment. He opposes the marriage plans against his daughter due to the abusive power dynamics. Unable to tolerate the harassment, he considers leaving the village to protect his family.

Sundaravadivelu's second wife who becomes ill and is neglected in the escalating domestic turmoil. Her condition adds another layer to the family’s strain and highlights the consequences of Sundaravadivelu’s authority being exercised at home.

The recently appointed village health inspector who interacts with Lakshmi and is drawn into the debt dispute. He offers money to settle the loan, signaling a possible help, but also becomes entangled in the village’s moral complexities. He ultimately leaves the village to avoid further conflict in Lakshmi's life.