A heartbreaking love story, set amongst the impoverished Catholic fishing community. Esther (Nandita Das), whose fisherman husband Arulappasamy has been missing for the past 25 years, she is questioned by her Son on the human remains found at the spot of her prayers. A tale of redemption, and political tension in the unstable waters, where fishermen still risk their lives for their livelihood.

Sivadhanu, an educated but unemployed honest man, gets married to the daughter of a rich man and moves to their house. However, taunts and disrespect compel him to find a new job in another town.

The film, set in the 1940s and moving to the 1960s, revolves around the emotional story of Thulasi (Nandita Das) returning to her village to become a dance teacher. She cannot bring herself to forget Vishwa (Mammootty), a man she has been in love with for two decades. Memories of Vishwa haunt her constantly, and upon a chance meeting with him, she discovers he too is struggling with his love for her. Both are haunted by the memory of Thulasi’s cousin, a figure who is unable to control his obsession for his cousin and hide his resentment at Thulasi’s feelings for Vishwa. Thulasi (Nandita) comes to Sundarapuri after her guardians – her grandma and uncle – pass away, to work as teacher in a dance school. It is in Sundarapuri that Vishwa (Mammootty) the zamindar whom she had met 20 years ago, lives. They meet again and the feelings that had blossomed in their hearts as teenagers, are revived. Vishwa is unmarried and Thulasi has gone through an unceremonious ritual in the name of matrimony, but fear of societal stigma and innate inhibition keep them asunder. Sensing their intense love for each other, Pattabhi (a very natural essay by ‘Delhi’ Ganesh once again), the manager at Vishwa’s house, helps them overcome their fears. It is then that Fate enters in the form of Siva (Manoj K. Jayan).

Shanmugam (Parthiban), a veterinary doctor, lives in the city with his wife Valarmati (Devayani) and their two children. In school, Shanmugam was in love with his classmate Dhanalakshmi (Nandita Das), but fate had forced them to go their separate ways, with Dhanam being forced to wed her brother-in-law (Sayaji Shinde). One day, Shanmugam spots Dhanam, who, having lost her husband, now lives a life of poverty on the platforms with her son Balu. After an unsuccessful attempt to find her a job in a friend’s house, he hires her as their servant-maid. However, memories of the past start to create a tension between Shanmugam and Dhanam, despite their attempts to maintain a distance.
One day, Valarmati finds out from Shanmugam’s old classmates how they both were in love when they were young, and she starts fearing that Shanmugam will leave her and her children for Dhanam. Valarmati becomes so distraught that she even humiliates Dhanam at a party organized by one of their friends. When they return home, Valarmati confronts Shanmugam, and an argument ensues. Dhanam overhears their argument and silently goes to bed. The next morning, Dhanam and Balu are nowhere to be found. When Shanmugam searches the house, he finds a letter written by Dhanam saying that she wants Valarmati and Shanmugam to be happy and that she doesn’t want to come between them. Soon, Valarmati realizes the truth and wants to bring Dhanam back home and ask her for her forgiveness.