In addition to the protagonists, "Missamma" focuses on Mary's biological and foster parents. Four other charactersMary's creditor I. P. David, Rao's friend Devaiah, the schoolteacher-cum-doctor Panthulu and Raju's stoic assistant Govindainfluence the plot. Believing that comedy and suspense cannot be effectively sustained together, Chakrapani reveals Mary's true identity to the audience early in the film but the characters (including Mary) are unaware of her identity until the climax. Pa Dheenadhayalan of "Dinamani" described Mary as the antithesis of Savitri's role in "Devadasu". Chakrapani used the reception of Mary's modern dress and behaviour to depict the limitations of orthodox South Indian families. The lyrics of "Adavari Matalaku Ardhale Verule", as lip-synched by Rao's character, describe the complex behaviour of women with men.