The film stars M. G. Ramachandran, Jayalalithaa and Rajasree, with L. Vijayalakshmi, Pandari Bai, M. N. Nambiar, Sundarrajan, V. K. Ramasamy, S. V. Ramadas and Nagesh in supporting roles.

A remake of the 1962 Hindi film China Town, it revolves around twins who become separated as children: one grows up to be a criminal, and the other is tasked with apprehending him.

The film was a box office success, running for more than 100 days in theatres, and became a turning point in Ramachandran's career.

Years later, Sekhar who now calls himself "Babu", is an established criminal and is the most wanted man in the city.

During a police encounter, Babu is grievously wounded and seeks shelter in Mangalam's house, although he does not recognise her as his mother.

Anand's girlfriend Jaya sees him having lot of money in a briefcase, and the police chase him.

[7] It was the first Tamil film to feature a Bangra dance sequence in the song "Aadaludan Paadalai".

[11] The song "Thulluvadho Ilamai" belongs to Pasodoble, a Spanish musical genre,[12] and is also set to Mayamalavagowla, a Carnatic raga.

[15] The interlude from "Aadaludan Paadalai" was re-used in the song "Namma Kattula Mazhai Peiyuthu" from Pattiyal (2006).

For his performance, Ramachandran won his first Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Actor.