The USP of Karutha Pakshikal, according to Kamal, is the deglamorised role Mammootty played.
Murugan comes to a city in Kerala from a small village in Tamil Nadu to make a living by ironing the clothes of the rich. He has no identity in Kerala -- no ration card or voter ID card. Nobody acknowledges his existence in the city but he is essential to all who live there.
His wife, played by Padmapriya, dies during her third childbirth leaving him to take care of his three small children -- Mayil, Azhagappan and the blind Malli. After the death of his wife, Murugan brings them to Kerala.
Padmapriya made her debut in Malayalam as Mammootty's wife in Blessey's Kazhcha. This is their fourth film together.
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