Appa

Dhayalan, Singaperumal, and Nadunilayan live in Neyveli, Tamil Nadu, each shaping their sons differently—Vetriswaran, Chakravarthy, and Mayilvaganam. They differ on schooling, time, and social expectations, setting the stage for later conflicts. The families share a close-knit community but divergent beliefs about child-rearing.

Dhayalan resists sending his second-grade son to a playschool, while his wife pushes for it to match neighborhood prestige. After a heated argument, she attempts suicide, and Dhayalan reluctantly agrees to enroll the boy. The incident marks the family's first major fracture in parenting philosophy.

Dhayalan shapes Vetriswaran to value truth, goodwill toward others, and living in the moment. He emphasizes sociability and responsibility toward the community over ambition. This philosophy contrasts with the others' more rigid approaches.

Singaperumal indoctrinates Chakravarthy with a timetable-first mindset, extreme academic focus, and a goal to top exams. He enrolls him in a stringent boarding school to cultivate discipline and ambition. The plan elevates the boy's academic profile but pressures him with high expectations.

Nadunilayan teaches Mayilvaganam to avoid extremes and keep a low profile, believing that excess of any kind draws unwanted attention. The boy learns to blend in while pursuing steady studies. This contrasts sharply with the other two fathers' methods.

In the 2nd grade, Dhayalan clashes with the private school administration over its methods and withdraws his son. The switch to a government school marks a turning point in the boy's education and in his family's dynamics. The conflict also strains the parents’ relationship.

Dhayalan's wife leaves for her parents' home and seeks divorce, seeking custody of their son. Her father, however, refuses and grants Dhayalan custody. The custody decision reinforces Dhayalan’s influence on his son’s upbringing. The event deepens personal rifts but preserves a functioning family dynamic.

Vetriswaran grows into a confident teenager excelling in both academics and swimming. His dedication leads to a Guinness World Record at age 16, validating Dhayalan’s emphasis on balance with societal engagement. The achievement cements the son’s public profile.

Mayilvaganam reveals a talent for poetry, compiling works and sending them to lyricist Pa Vijay. The poems receive recognition, bringing acclaim to both the boy and his father’s supportive environment. The familial narrative highlights the value of nurturing diverse talents.

Chakravarthy achieves top marks in 10th grade with 99%, fulfilling his father's rigorous standard. His success leads to enrollment in one of the strictest higher secondary boarding schools, where the intense regimen continues. The bond with his father deepens through shared ambition, though emotional distance grows.

Chakravarthy endures harsh rules and isolation at the boarding school, while he longs for his mother’s affection. He and his friends try to sneak out to have fun, challenging the school's authority. The environment becomes a source of stress that will soon erupt.

Chakravarthy's life takes a tragic turn as he dies after torture in the school, with the school claiming suicide due to love failure. A doctor later informs Dhayalan that Chakravarthy died eight hours earlier and was murdered by school officials for speaking out. The friends’ testimony and the evidence reveal the brutal truth.