Naan Kadavul

Naan Kadavul

Year: 2009

Runtime: 150 mins

Language: Tamil

Director: Bala

ActionDrama

Aham Brahmasmi. This surreal Tamil film follows Rudran, abandoned as a child in Kasi, who matures into a mystic immersed in enigmatic rituals. Convinced he commands life, death and rebirth, he pursues a path that blurs reality and spirituality, exploring the limits of his claimed power.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – Naan Kadavul (2009)

Trace every key event in Naan Kadavul (2009) 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

Father leaves Rudhran in Kashi due to astrology

A man leaves his son Rudhran in the holy city of Kashi, Varanasi, believing the alignment of stars demands it. He vows to return, but the decision weighs heavily on him as years pass. The separation sets Rudhran on a path far from home.

14 years ago Kashi, Varanasi
2

Father returns with daughter to search for Rudhran

Fourteen years later, the father returns to Kashi with his daughter, determined to find Rudhran and mend past wrongs. He is shocked to discover that Rudhran has become an Aghori, a fierce ascetic who seems beyond ordinary family ties. The reunion foregrounds a clash between parental hope and spiritual transformation.

Present day Kashi, Varanasi
3

Rudhran departs home to a cave near a hill temple

Rudhran leaves his house to seek his own place, moving into a small cave near a hill temple. He rejects his mother's pleas and Hamsavalli's appeals to come home, embracing an austere life as an Aghori. His choice signals a break with family life and a commitment to moksha.

Near hill temple, in a cave
4

Thandavan rules a group of beggars with cruelty

Thandavan oversees a group of physically and mentally challenged beggars, keeping tight control over his vulnerable workforce. He exploits their condition to maintain power and extract offerings from passersby. The cruelty of his operation sets the stage for Rudhran's emerging protective impulse.

City outskirts under Thandavan's control
5

Deal to sell beggars to a businessman

Thandavan makes a deal with a businessman to sell some beggars for a tidy profit. The scheme exposes how quickly people can be traded for money, regardless of suffering. This plot thread deepens the danger facing Hamsavalli.

Market area under Thandavan's network
6

Deformed man tries to marry Hamsavalli for money

The businessman returns with a man with a deformed face, who tries to force Hamsavalli to marry him for ₹10 lakhs. Thandavan's men carry out the coercion, demonstrating the ruthless power at stake. Hamsavalli resists, triggering the conflict that pulls Rudhran into the fight.

Market place / Thandavan's base
7

Friends seek Rudhran's help for Hamsavalli

Hamsavalli's friends manage to bring her to Rudhran for help as the forced marriage looms. They trust the Aghori's power to shield her from danger. Rudhran's protective instincts surface when he sees her plight.

Near Rudhran's cave
8

Rudhran confronts Thandavan's men and the businessman

Rudhran fights Thandavan's men and kills the businessman, halting the immediate danger. The authorities arrest him, but they cannot locate the body and fear forcing a confession from Rudhran due to a believed curse. The case leaves Rudhran in a gray zone between savior and suspect.

On the road / confrontation site
9

Police release Rudhran due to lack of evidence

The local police release Rudhran after failing to locate the body and fearing the curse he might invoke. Hamsavalli's safety remains precarious as Thandavan's cruelty continues unchecked. The community remains torn between fear and reverence for the enigmatic Aghori.

Town police area
10

Hamsavalli seeks protection at the church

Hamsavalli seeks protection at a church, hoping for safety away from Thandavan's reach. Thandavan finds her there and tortures her when she refuses to marry the deformed man. This brutal confrontation deepens the conflict and pushes Rudhran toward a climactic showdown.

Church and surrounding area
11

Rudhran fights Thandavan and wins

Enraged by Thandavan's crimes, Rudhran confronts him in a fierce clash and defeats him. The act confirms Rudhran's resolve to protect the vulnerable and confirms his path toward moksha through righteous action. The town bears the aftermath of the brutal duel.

Thandavan's arena / town
12

Rudhran grants moksha to Hamsavalli

A badly wounded Hamsavalli pleads with Rudhran to grant her moksha so she will never be reborn. He complies by slitting her throat and performing her last rites, bringing final closure to her suffering. Rudhran then prepares to depart by returning to Kashi.

Ritual site
13

Rudhran returns to Kashi

Having fulfilled his vow and bid farewell to the mortal world, Rudhran returns to Kashi. He reconnects with the sacred roots of his journey, embracing Moksha as the cycle continues in the holy city. The narrative closes as he steps back into the spiritual city of Kashi.

Kashi, Varanasi

Last Updated: October 07, 2025 at 09:15

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