Dasavatharam

Dasavatharam

Year: 2008

Runtime: 188 mins

Language: Tamil

Director: K. S. Ravikumar

AdventureActionFaith and religionBollywood emotional dramasShow All…

Govind K. Somaiyya, a bio‑technologist, embarks on a perilous mission to India to secure a vial containing a lethal virus. Racing against time, he must keep the pathogen from an ex‑CIA operative and a cadre of assassins who seek to weaponize it.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Dasavatharam 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!

Timeline – Dasavatharam (2008)

Trace every key event in Dasavatharam (2008) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Prologue: Nambi defends the Vishnu idol

In the 12th century prologue, Rangarajan Nambi, a devout Vaishnavite, resists King Kulothunga II's attempt to desecrate a Vishnu idol. He confronts the king's men and is executed by drowning, along with the idol. The act establishes a motif of faith and sacrilege that shadows the later events.

12th century Chidambaram temple town (12th century)
2

Govindarajan realizes the threat of a synthetic virus

In 2004, Govindarajan Ramaswamy, a scientist in the United States, works on a synthetic bio-weapon. A lab monkey dies after ingesting the virus, underscoring the danger of the project. Govind realizes the virus could be misused by terrorists.

2004 United States laboratory
3

Govind escapes with the vial as Sethu's plan surfaces

Govind discovers that his superior, Dr. Sethu, plans to sell the virus to terrorists. He flees with the vial to prevent it from falling into the wrong hands. In the scramble, the vial is mistakenly shipped to India.

2004 United States
4

Fletcher is hired and begins pursuit

Christian Fletcher, a mercenary ex-CIA agent, is hired to retrieve the vial and eliminate Govind's threat. He launches a ruthless pursuit across borders. Along the way, he kills several people, including Govind's friend Suresh and Suresh's wife Yuka.

2004 Global chase
5

The vial reaches Chidambaram and is hidden in a Vishnu idol

Govind's pursuit leads him to Chidambaram, where the vial lands with an elderly woman, Krishnaveni. She unknowingly hides it inside a Vishnu idol, concealing the danger from others. Govind's attempts to reclaim it are hindered by Fletcher, the local police, and Andal, who believes Govind is stealing the idol.

2004 Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu
6

Andal guards the idol against Govind

Andal, Krishnaveni's devout granddaughter, guards the idol and rejects Govind's claim of innocence. She sees him as a thief and becomes a serious obstacle in his quest. The clash between devotion and rational pursuit deepens the conflict.

2004 Chidambaram
7

Jasmine dies in the elephant incident

Jasmine, Fletcher's translator and partner in crime, is killed during a skirmish involving a rogue elephant. The loss complicates Fletcher's mission and raises the stakes for everyone involved. The elephant incident adds chaos to the already tangled chase.

2004 Near Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu
8

Shingen arrives to avenge Yuka

Yuka's death prompts her brother Shingen, a Japanese martial artist, to arrive and pursue vengeance. He becomes an additional rival and ally in the complicated pursuit. His presence intensifies the danger in Govind's efforts to retrieve the vial.

2004 India
9

RAW officer Balram Naidu investigates

RAW officer Balram Naidu investigates Govind's activities and begins to unravel the wider conspiracy. His inquiry intersects with Fletcher's pursuit and local law enforcement. The investigation adds political dimension to the danger.

2004 Chidambaram / India
10

The vial swaps with Avatar Singh's cooler

During the chaos, the vial is accidentally swapped with a medicine cooler owned by singer Avatar Singh. The swap delays its recovery and drags Avatar's world into the crisis. The cooler introduces a public-facing element to the already dangerous situation.

2004 Tamil Nadu, India
11

Fletcher seizes hostages at Avatar Singh's concert

Fletcher takes hostages and demands the virus in exchange, escalating the crisis. Govind, Andal, and allies race to stop him and recover the vial. The tense confrontation peaks at Avatar Singh's concert, where the stakes are highest.

2004 Avatar Singh's concert, Tamil Nadu
12

Govind plans to neutralize the virus with salt

Govind learns that sodium chloride weakens the virus and plans to neutralize it by immersing the vial in the ocean. He prepares for a dangerous act that could save millions or trigger catastrophe. This discovery reframes the crisis from capture to neutralization.

2004 Ocean coast
13

Final showdown and the tsunami

A brutal fight erupts at a construction site between Govind and Fletcher, with Shingen stepping in to mediate. Fletcher swallows the virus, intending to die with it, but a massive tsunami hits the coast and drowns him. The natural disaster wipes away the immediate threat and reshapes the survivors' fate.

Shortly after the concert (2004) Coastal construction site, Tamil Nadu
14

Aftermath: survival and moral questions

The tsunami devastates the coastline, killing many but sparing Govind and Andal. Govind reflects on the morality of salvation achieved through destruction, while Andal sees the event as divine intervention. They survive and begin to confront the future together.

Post-tsunami (2004) Coast of Tamil Nadu
15

Govind is honored; idol washed ashore

Govind is honored at a formal event attended by world leaders for his efforts against the threat. The final image shows Rangarajan Nambi's idolized remains washed ashore, tying the ancient prologue to the contemporary crisis. The film closes with a sense of cyclical fate and unresolved questions.

Post-tsunami Ceremonial event; shores

Last Updated: October 05, 2025 at 11:24

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.

Unlock the Full Story of Dasavatharam

Don't stop at just watching — explore Dasavatharam 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 Dasavatharam is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Dasavatharam Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Dasavatharam, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Dasavatharam Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in Dasavatharam

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

Characters, Settings & Themes in Dasavatharam

Dasavatharam Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Dasavatharam 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.

Dasavatharam Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Dasavatharam

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Dasavatharam: 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 Dasavatharam

Similar Movies to Dasavatharam

Discover movies like Dasavatharam that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.