Krishna Prasad is crazy about elephants. When he was a ten-year old child his father had taken him to the village temple to attend the festival. An elephant which ran amuck during the festival, knocked the boy over, placed his front foot on the lad's chest, but then spared him. His love for elephants started on that day. He started studying about elephants and their habits. His regular education suffered upsetting his people at home. He failed in several jobs in which elephants had a role to play. Debts began to mount. It is at this juncture that Gowri and her mother come to stay with him. He gives them shelter.

Anirudhan is the very opposite of what Krishna Prasad is. An owner of seven elephants, he has hardly any love for the animals and uses them only as a means to earn income. Jayaram plays the role of Krishna Prasad, while Sai Kumar does the role of Anirudhan. Ramya Nambeesan who has had several appearances on the mini-screen makes her debut in this film. Aanachandam is the first family entertainer being directed by Jayaraj