Shanmugam (Parthiban), a veterinary doctor, lives in the city with his wife Valarmati (Devayani (actress)) 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.