The film consists of four segments  The Thief, The Police, Two Men and a Woman and One Woman, Two Men. The first story is about a thief who, by force of circumstances, is unable to renounce his only means of livelihood and is punished by his disgrace more than by law; he loses courage to face his proud son. In the second story, two corrupt and wily police men – the ‘grassroots’ representatives of the state, systematically rob an honest rickshaw puller of his savings and also freedom. In the third story we find a youngster wavering between ‘obligations’ to his family and society, and the love he feels for his servant whom he impregnates. It is the ‘law’ of what he is expected to
do versus the ‘justice’ of what his being yearns for. The fourth story, the most sensuous among the four, has a beautiful woman at the centre inviting lovers and inciting stories. Panki Amma is an enigmatic woman to whom men are attracted; she rejects none and seems to offer love to all, may be of different kinds. [The work of a master]

The Kerala State Film Jury thought this was the best film of 2008, better than TV Chandran’s Vilapangalkkapuram. TV Chandran meanwhile thinks Adoor’s film is a TV serial.

“This time the award for the best film has been given to a TV serial and not a film. Last year his film was not given an award because the then jury felt his film was a serial,” Chandran told reporters here. [Adoor's film is a TV serial: T. V. Chandran]

Adoor meanwhile thought that since the accuser was ‘TV’ Chandran, he would know something about ‘TV’ serials.

Commenting on the same Adoor said that those who think his film is a television serial is “ignorant of what a TV serial is and what a film is”.[Adoor's film is a TV serial: T. V. Chandran]

We understand TV Chandran’s frustration. He tried to make an award movie with Dileep as the hero – Kathavaseshan – which was equivalent to making a dragon fly lift Sai Kumar. It did not win any awards. But when Adoor was not in the picture Chandran’s movies have won national acclaim, like the brilliant Padom Onnu, Oru Vilapam.

Both these two are great directors and it becomes a problem when both have movies together. To resolve this, we should change laws so that they alternate each year. When Adoor makes a movie, TV Chandran takes a break and vice versa. If they don’t listen, we think, whatever movie Vinayan makes that year should be given the best picture award. That should teach everyone a lesson.