Kissan movie tells Balaraman Thampuran is the feudal lord who rules the roost in Thekkeppatt Kovilakam. He is the personification of all that is evil with the feudal system. He is cruel and treats the peasants as his personal slaves, making them work on his farm lands for a pittance. Devan (Biju Menon) who is the son of Savithri who also belongs to the Kovilakam. He has just returned after higher studies in London. As per family tradition he is to marry the daughter of Balaraman. Devan believes all men are equal and must not be segregated along the lines of cast or creed. He renews friendship with Velu (Kalabhavan MAni) who is his childhood playmate, who belongs to the lowly Dalit class.

Ghasitaram, under pressure from his wife, decides to allocate a barren piece of land to his orphaned nephew, Dhanna, who lives with his wife, Bhagwanti, and sister, Laali. Dhanna strives in vain to till this piece of land and ultimately decides to call in Bhagwan Shri Vishnu for assistance. He goes to Pandit Tirlochan, who, instead gives him a rock, and the naive Dhanna brings it home, and refuses to eat anything until and unless Vishnuji shares his humble offerings. This leads to the entire community, including Bhagwanti and Laali, coming to the conclusion that Dhanna has lost his mind.