[1][2] The story is set during the early 1960s amidst the backdrop of land reforms and poverty in Kerala.
He gets a job as a Village Extension Officer, but loses it over problems with higher officials on petty issues.
The job is offered to him in return for lying in favour of Srinivasan in a court and saving him from punishment.
As a trustworthy employee, Sethu takes on bigger responsibilities and makes money by cheating the firm.
After witnessing a "compromising" scene of Laitha with businessman Indrajith, he plans to visit his village.
There he finds Sumitra in an abandoned state and confesses that he has loved her, but she declares she is happy living alone.