A remake of the Hindi film Pocket Maar (1956), it stars M. G. Ramachandran, B. Saroja Devi and M. N. Nambiar.

After his death the family becomes Balu's responsibility, and his attitude toward stealing changes when his mother discovers her son was a thief and sacrifices her life.

M. G. Ramachandran objected, believing that audiences would think the title would represent his own opinion, and that the film actually exhorts people not to do wrong.

[8] Kanthan of Kalki gave the film a favourable review for many aspects, including Neelakanta's direction, the cast performances and the music.

[11] Historian M. S. S. Pandian considers the film "inaugurated the MGR persona of a subaltern in the service of society", a trend that continued through the 1970s.