Vanaja, the 15 year old daughter of a financially troubled fisherman goes to work in the local landlady's house with the hope of learning Kuchipudi dance. She does well and even earns the landlady's affection. But when the landlady's son returns from the US, what begins as innocent sexual chemistry turns ugly, ending in a rape — a rape of a minor. Set in a conservative community in South India, Vanaja explores the chasm that divides classes as a young girl struggles to come of age.