Maargan

Maargan

Year: 2025

Runtime: 132 mins

Language: Tamil

Director: Leo John Paul

Echo Score: 82
ThrillerCrime

ADGP Dhruv, a veteran officer tormented by a tragic past, is drawn into a convoluted investigation where each new clue reveals a deeper darkness. The trail leads to a mysterious swimmer, and Dhruv must race against time to apprehend a clever serial killer whose motives are rooted in hidden secrets.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Maargan 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 – Maargan (2025)

Trace every key event in Maargan (2025) 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

Ramya's murder and Dhruv's arrival

Ramya is murdered late at night by an intravenous chemical that leaves her body numb and unresponsive. Dhruv arrives in Chennai from Mumbai to unofficially take over the investigation, bringing Inspector Shruthi and constable Kaali into the case. The case immediately shows parallels to an earlier tragedy, prompting Dhruv to push for answers.

Late night Chennai
2

Investigation kicks off with Karthik and the missing pendant

Dhruv begins the inquiry with Ramya's boyfriend Karthik, a photographer who is about to work on a Rajesh-directed feature. The pendant chain Ramya wore is missing, and Karthik says it was a gift from a friend with no further details. The missing keepsake becomes a key thread in the unfolding mystery.

Chennai
3

Hooded figure spotted near the crime scene

A hooded young boy is captured by surveillance cameras near the crime scene at night, but his face is obscured and cannot be identified. The glimpse raises suspicion of a potential accomplice or an eyewitness. The team treats it as a crucial lead to pursue.

Late night Crime scene vicinity
4

Pendant clue points to Tamilarivu

Dhruv spots the same pendant design drawn on a dusty car and collects fingerprint samples for analysis. The forensic results point to Tamilarivu, a swimmer who was previously booked in a drug smuggling case. Tamilarivu becomes the primary suspect in Ramya's murder.

Chennai
5

Tamilarivu interrogated and overwhelmed

Tamilarivu is apprehended and kept in an isolated room for questioning. He drinks excessive water, chants hymns, and demands the pills he has been taking as the interrogation escalates into violence before he collapses faintly.

Interrogation room
6

Tamilarivu discusses memory and the past

Tamilarivu tells Dhruv that he is trying to forget memories of his ex-lover Ramya, who left him in the past. He insists he has no connection to the murder Dhruv is pursuing. Dhruv notes the tension between memory, trauma, and motive in the case.

Interrogation room
7

Underwater memory recall draws a clue

Dhruv pressures Tamilarivu to draw the pendant diagram and trigger memory recall. To retrieve memories, Tamilarivu jumps into the water and holds his breath, an extremely risky procedure. After resurfacing, he recalls the pendant's shadow in the water, providing a crucial clue.

Underwater sequence
8

Aquarium CCTV and a reluctant ally

Using Tamilarivu's hint, the team retrieves CCTV footage from an aquarium shop near the crime scene, which confirms Tamilarivu's innocence. Dhruv then urges Tamilarivu to help solve Ramya's murder using his extraordinary memory. Tamilarivu is initially hesitant but is moved when Dhruv shares his own tragedy.

Aquarium shop vicinity
9

Dhruv bares his past to win cooperation

Dhruv opens up about his daughter's murder and his own poisoning, making Tamilarivu feel understood. The memory coaching proceeds with safety and consent, and Tamilarivu agrees to cooperate to rewind his memories further. This alliance marks a turning point in the investigation.

Interrogation/Office
10

Kovilambakkam clue and the owl disturbance

Tamilarivu's revived memory points to a location in Kovilambakkam, though an owl disturbing his recollections obscures the killer's face. The search shifts toward this suburban area with new urgency. Dhruv and team narrow suspects based on location and timing.

Kovilambakkam
11

Team broadens the net with local help

Dhruv and Kaali enlist sanitary workers and a blind girl who heard the owl's call to gather new leads. They suspect a team of North Indian drug dealers may be involved and push to close in on the criminals. The investigation expands beyond Ramya's circle.

Chennai region
12

Akhila disappears and Shalini is murdered; Vennila looms

Akhila, Tamilarivu's sister, goes missing while Dr. Shalini, a cosmetologist, is murdered. The fear of retaliation intensifies as Vennila starts to emerge as a new potential victim. The threat shifts the investigators' attention toward the film industry connections.

Following morning Chennai
13

Vennila under surveillance; the industry angle unfolds

Shruthi secretly installs a spy camera on Vennila, a model who has faced skin tone decisions in the industry. Vennila's backstory unfolds: she underwent skin-lightening procedures at Rajesh's urging, fueling a growing grudge against Ramya and the industry. The case ties fashion, casting, and revenge together.

Chennai
14

Megha is revealed and the motive exposed

Megha is revealed as Vennila's true identity, driven by trauma over skin color and rejection. She admits killing Priya and Ramya, and she plans to target Sana Trivedi next while also killing Dr. Shalini. Dhruv arrives just in time and shoots Megha, saving Sana; Karthik mourns the industry’s bias that fueled Megha's downfall.

Chennai

Last Updated: October 01, 2025 at 10:21

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.

Thrillers with a Methodical Killer Hunt like in Maargan

Gripping cat-and-mouse games between haunted detectives and brilliant serial killers.For viewers who enjoyed the tense cat-and-mouse dynamic in Maargan, this section highlights movies like it. Discover similar police procedural and crime thriller stories featuring a determined detective racing against time to stop a clever serial killer. These films share a gripping, methodical pace and a heavy, brooding mood.

tensegrippingmethodicaldarkanxiousdeterminedpsychological duel

Narrative Summary

Stories in this thread follow a linear investigative path, where each new clue deepens the mystery and raises the stakes. The protagonist is often an officer or profiler haunted by personal demons, whose expertise is tested by an antagonist of equal or greater intellect. The narrative builds tension through a steady, clue-driven progression towards a climactic confrontation.

Why These Movies?

These movies are grouped by their shared focus on a high-stakes intellectual duel. They possess a similar tense tone, steady pacing, and heavy emotional weight, driven by the dark subject matter and the psychological burden on the protagonist. The central pattern of a methodical investigation into a serial killer's motives creates a coherent, gripping experience.

Movies with a Tormented Detective like in Maargan

Stories of investigators whose personal trauma fuels their pursuit of justice.If you liked the portrayal of ADGP Dhruv's tragic past in Maargan, explore these similar films. This list features movies with detectives and officers whose personal demons shape their pursuit of justice. You'll find stories with a heavy emotional weight, dark themes, and a focus on how trauma impacts an investigator's work.

broodinggrieftormentedpsychologicaldetermineddark pastheavy drama

Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern involves a central crime that acts as a mirror to the protagonist's own unresolved trauma. The investigation forces the hero to confront their personal darkness while navigating the external case. The journey is often psychologically taxing, blending the procedural elements with a deep character study of grief, obsession, and redemption.

Why These Movies?

These films are united by their complex, emotionally damaged protagonists. They share a heavy emotional weight, a dark or tense tone, and themes of grief and loss. The connection lies in the fusion of a compelling external plot with a powerful internal character arc, creating a brooding and psychologically rich viewing experience.

Unlock the Full Story of Maargan

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

Maargan Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Maargan, 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.

Maargan Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in Maargan

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

Characters, Settings & Themes in Maargan

Maargan Ending Explained

What really happened at the end of Maargan? This detailed ending explained page breaks down final scenes, hidden clues, and alternate interpretations with expert analysis and viewer theories.

Maargan Ending Explained

Maargan Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Maargan 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.

Maargan Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Maargan

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