Janaki showcases the tumultuous life of 12 year old child, who lives in the unsafe openness of the street. Orphaned and abandoned, she goes through all the unpleasant odds until she finds abode at the Tharavad of Sekharan Master, an elderly Gandhian who treats her like his own grandchild. Janaki finds a sense of belonging in the love of Sekharan's family members and the harmony created by the innocent solidarity of children. But the outside world always hunts her down. The death of her protector throws Janaki back to the wretched realities, a life of abuse and exploitation. Janaki is the representative of dejected womanhood, hurt and humiliated.