Rangarajan's novel of the same name that was serialised in Kumudam, it revolves around a man who could not lead his life the way he wanted, and gets forced to undergo many sacrifices.

Ganesan won the Film Fans Association Award for Best Actor The movie “Sumaithangi” revolves around a middle-class family led by Muthuraman, who supports his retired father Sarangapani, younger brother Babu (Gemini Ganesan), and younger sister L. Vijayalakshmi.

The story unfolds with Babu, a college student, being challenged by his friends to woo Radha, the daughter of their former schoolteacher Rathnavel.

Babu succeeds, but the family’s financial troubles force him to take up a job, sacrificing his education and love life.

Babu, pressured by his family, agrees to marry Indira Devi, but the marriage is called off when she has a fit on the wedding day.

Babu continues to make sacrifices for his family, giving his bonus money to his sister’s husband for a job deposit.

Balaji, a friend of Nagesh and Rathnavel’s relative, offers Babu a job, but Muthuraman insists on taking it to resume his role as the family’s breadwinner.

The movie ends with Babu walking past his stunned family, chanting sacred quotes from the Bible.