The film tells the story of a series of comic clashes that occur when Nalla Sivam (Kamal Haasan) a wise-cracking, handicapped communist and Anbarasu (R. Madhavan), an arrogant young advertisement filmmaker who favors capitalism, both happen to get stuck with each other on their problem-filled trip from Bhubaneshwar to Chennai. Themes such as globalization, financial disparity and compassion in present day India are explored around the two protagonists. The film is also shown to be based on Kamal Haasan's personal views on theism. The film is based upon American movie Planes, Trains and Automobiles released in 1987.