Naalai Manithan

Naalai Manithan

Year: 1989

Runtime: 107 mins

Language: Tamil

Director: Velu Prabhakaran

Science FictionHorrorDrama

A brilliant doctor creates a serum that can resurrect the dead. He decides to test it on the corpse of an orphan, but the drug corrupts his mind, leaving him mentally shattered. Consumed by the side‑effects, he spirals into madness and embarks on a brutal killing spree, haunted by the consequences of trying to cheat death.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – Naalai Manithan (1989)

Trace every key event in Naalai Manithan (1989) 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

Invention of life-restoring drug

In 2008, Dr. Shankar develops a drug that can resurrect the dead if injected within two hours of death. He works with Ramesh and Kanth in a Chennai laboratory. They successfully revive a dead man named John, setting off a chain of unforeseen consequences.

2008 Chennai, Laboratory
2

First revival and immortality

The revived John is granted immortality by the drug, but the revival triggers murderous side effects. He cannot die from injuries, and his actions become increasingly violent. The town begins to feel the presence of an unstoppable killer.

soon after death Laboratory, Chennai
3

Murder spree begins

With his immortality, John begins murdering people in the town, spreading fear as the killings continue. The police struggle to understand how a revived body operates and why it seems invincible. The city is gripped by a chilling series of murders.

Chennai
4

Murder at the resort and capture

John murders a group of youngsters at a resort, drawing the attention of the police. Officer Vijay and deputy Shekar corner him, and he is arrested after a brutal confrontation. The capture marks the first clash between the revived killer and law enforcement.

Resort near Chennai
5

Escape and hospital injury

John breaks out of handcuffs, overpowers the officers, and sustains severe injuries. He is transported to the hospital for treatment. The escape signals that containment may be impossible for someone who cannot die.

shortly after arrest Hospital
6

Kanth's plan and John's escape

Kanth asks Shankar to kill John, deeming him a societal threat. John overhears the plan, escapes from the institute, and heads toward Kanth's home. The pursuit shows John actively seeking places to hide and further his plans.

after escape Institute and Kanth's residence
7

Confrontation at Kanth's home

John infiltrates Kanth's home and engages Kanth in a brutal fight. Despite being shot multiple times and knocked down stairs, Kanth dies. Shree, Kanth's wife, returns home and is killed by John.

Kanth's home
8

Preethi's arrival and discovery

Preethi arrives for her upcoming marriage to Vijay and discovers the corpses of Kanth and Shree. Realizing the danger, Preethi escapes as Vijay arrives to investigate. The sequence deepens the terror around the revived killer.

Kanth's home
9

Preethi escorted to the institute

Shekar takes Preethi to the institute, unaware that John has already returned there to seek treatment for his wounds. The institute becomes a focal point of the renewed chase and danger. Preethi's safety becomes a priority for Vijay and his team.

Institute
10

Ramesh's acid attempt and Shankar's death

Ramesh attempts to kill John by injecting him with acid, but John survives due to immortality and retaliates. Shankar, who comes to cure John, is killed in the resulting chaos. The brutal killings escalate further within the institute.

Institute
11

John hunts Preethi; Shekar falls

John chases Preethi through the institute while Shekar tries to shield her. John defeats Shekar, removing another of Vijay's allies and intensifying the pursuit. The danger to Preethi grows more imminent.

Institute
12

Vijay intervenes; John falls from balcony

Vijay returns in time and shoots John, causing him to fall off a balcony. Preethi is rescued as the immediate threat seems to be temporarily contained. John's apparent defeat ignites a new resolve to finish him off.

Institute
13

Car chase, explosion, and the lake

John revives again and clings to Vijay's car, forcing a deadly chase. The vehicle crashes and explodes, lighting John on fire. He jumps into a nearby lake to recover, where he shows alarming resilience.

immediately after balcony incident City streets, lake
14

Final battle and the well

In the climactic confrontation, Vijay defeats John by striking him and throwing him into a well. Believed dead, John resurfaces from the well, leaving the town with a chilling implication that the killer may still be alive.

after lake incident Well

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 14:20

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Naalai Manithan Summary

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Naalai Manithan

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