The citation for Pulijanmam said it was 'a layered film that uses metaphors to address global and local issues of contemporary society'.

Kari Gurukkal, also known as Pulimaranja Thondachan (the great grandfather who turned into tiger), is a folk god of Pulayas, a subaltern community in North Kerala.

Envious, the upper caste people ordered him to bring a tiger's mane and tail to cure the madness of the ruler.

To get his human form back when he returns from the forest, his wife should pour water used for cleaning rice and beat him with a broom.

In the meantime, his sister Anila leaves the family behind and takes the life of her choice which makes their mother lose her mental balance.