By The People

By The People

Year: 2005

Runtime: 111 mins

Language: Malayalam

Director: Jayaraj

Two years after the events of ‘4 the People,’ four university students band together to fight the corruption infecting the education system. Their anger grows after a classmate takes her own life when denied a study loan. At the same time, police recall officer Rajan Mathew (Sunil) from an administrative position, bringing him back into action after his previous transfer for a student‑related killing.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen By The People yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

By The People (2005) – Full Plot Summary & Ending Explained

Read the complete plot breakdown of By The People (2005), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.

Two years after the events in 4 the People, Rajan Mathew [narain] has moved into an administrative post after being shifted for his role in the earlier clashes, while the remaining trio—Arvind Sebastian [arun], Eswar [arjun-bose], and Shafeek [padma-kumar]—sit behind bars. Inspired by the four, a band of college students calling themselves Pulse forms a more aggressive crew to fight corruption, sparked by a brutal incident where a student’s suicide is mocked and she is denied a loan. The group’s spark becomes a blaze as a porter, Sudhakaran [vinayakan], an auto driver, Sathyan [sreejith-ravi], and a one-legged member rally under the banner of “By the people.”

The new insurgents begin striking at corrupt figures, starting with the bank manager who abetted the student’s tragedy. Soon, more targets fall, and Rajan is reinstated as SP to track and corral the escalating menace. When the four learn of his return, they kidnap him and work to win the trust of his wife through their ally Kamini. Rajan’s investigation then cuts a path toward a powerful kingmaker and minister, Paramasivam, who wields control over media and politics. Rajan records conversations between Paramasivam, godman Harihar ji, and other tycoons in a bid to expose them, but a rotten system bites back: his own superiors betray him, he’s attacked for the tape, his pregnant wife is murdered, and the incriminating footage goes missing. He is reassigned as a Jail Superintendent, while the remaining members of the original four are imprisoned. The crushing realization hits him: the system is compromised, and those he once trusted are against him.

Four students launch an assault on Paramasivam at his vacation house, aiming to bomb him when he arrives, but they are ultimately killed. With the Pulse faction now aligned with By the people, Rajan becomes their chief adviser, dedicating himself to eradicating corruption and seeking vengeance. The first victim is inspector Thomas, Rajan’s corrupt former superior, killed when a roller coaster he inaugurates goes off track—an act orchestrated by the group. Investigating officer Balan Nambiar arrives at their door, hot on the trail but lacking solid evidence; he senses that Harihar ji and Paramasivam may be next. Hariharji is killed at a resort, and Rajan’s videotape resurfaces when a junkyard owner returns it to the media. Although the footage becomes public, it fails to serve as court evidence, and Paramasivam is acquitted.

The team hatches a final plan to extinguish Paramasivam at a rally, aided by a network of supporters. Kamini is nabbed while attempting to bomb the minister, and Sathyan, Sudhakaran, and others are shot or captured by Balan. Paramasivam pushes ahead with the rally, which culminates at a Portugal cultural festival. Rajan swiftly frees the imprisoned members of “By the people”, who arrive incognito at the venue and assassinate Paramasivam at point-blank range. Balan pursues them but discovers them behind bars again, with no evidence of their escape. As he leaves, he praises Rajan for a clever, trace-free takedown of the corrupt cabal, and with a final nod to the band Pulse, he mutters the signature line:

Hasta la vista

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 15:13

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Movies about fighting systemic corruption like By The People

Stories of determined individuals taking on powerful, corrupt systems.If you enjoyed the gritty, determined battle against institutional rot in By The People, you'll find similar themes here. This list features movies about student activism, political thrillers, and social justice stories where characters risk everything to challenge a corrupt establishment.

angrydeterminedgrittyvengefuldesperatesombertense

Narrative Summary

The narrative typically follows a group or individual who uncovers a vast web of corruption. Their initial attempts to use official channels fail, forcing them into more extreme and often violent methods. The conflict escalates rapidly, pitting their idealism against the cold, brutal reality of systemic power, usually at great personal cost.

Why These Movies?

Movies in this thread share a core focus on the theme of fighting a rigged system. They possess a tense, angry tone, fast pacing driven by escalating confrontations, and a heavy emotional weight stemming from the high stakes and moral compromises required. The endings are often bittersweet, with a pyrrhic victory that underscores the systemic problem's persistence.

Fast-paced gritty political thrillers similar to By The People

High-stakes conspiracies and betrayals unravel at a breakneck pace.Fans of the high-intensity, rapid-fire narrative of By The People will appreciate these selections. Discover similar movies with a tense atmosphere, complex conspiracies, and desperate characters caught in cycles of violence and betrayal within political or criminal underworlds.

tensegrittychaoticdesperatevengefulsomberfast-paced

Narrative Summary

The narrative structure is typically linear but event-packed, with a clear, escalating conflict between opposing forces. The pacing is fast, driven by a sequence of attacks, investigations, and counter-moves that leave little room for respite. Characters are often motivated by revenge or survival, operating in a world where betrayal is commonplace and the line between right and wrong is blurred.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped by their shared visceral experience: a consistently high level of tension, a fast and often chaotic pacing that creates a sense of immediacy, and a gritty, realistic tone. They focus on themes of corruption, revenge, and the high personal cost of engaging in violent political or criminal conflicts.

Unlock the Full Story of By The People

Don't stop at just watching — explore By The People in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what By The People is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

By The People Timeline

Track the full timeline of By The People with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

By The People Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in By The People

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape By The People. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in By The People

By The People Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of By The People that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

By The People Spoiler-Free Summary

More About By The People

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about By The People: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About By The People