Nayakan

Police arrest Velu to uncover information about his father's fate. They pose as well-wishers and release him, manipulating him into trusting them. When Velu eventually meets his father, the police shoot and kill him, setting Velu on a path of anger and vengeance.

Velu attends his father's funeral, grieving the loss and seeking closure. He then stabs the police inspector responsible for his father's death and escapes to Bombay. In Bombay, Hussain, a kind-hearted smuggler, takes him in and provides the first hint of a new life.

In the Dharavi slums of Bombay, Velu is taken in by Hussain, a compassionate smuggler. When Hussain falls ill, Velu takes charge of the smuggling operations to support them. Velu's efficiency earns him power and makes enemies among rival smugglers and corrupt authorities.

Rival smugglers recruit corrupt inspector Kelkar to arrest Hussain and kill him in jail; the case is later closed as suicide. Velu discovers the truth and murders Kelkar in retaliation. He begins to care for Kelkar's wife and their mentally challenged son, Ajit.

Velu becomes the guardian of Kelkar's wife and their mentally challenged son Ajit. He provides for them and maintains a family structure amid his expanding criminal empire.

Velu meets Neela, a schoolgirl forced into prostitution who longs to pursue an education. Her courage and innocence move him to change his life, and they marry. The couple has two children, Surya and Charumathi.

Velu's influence grows as he champions local people and gains mass support. A bet with the Reddy brothers over smuggling outcomes ends with Velu prevailing, making him the undisputed king of the Bombay harbour.

The Reddy brothers stage an attack to murder Velu and his family after losing the bet. Neela is killed in the assault, and Velu exacts vengeance on his enemies. To protect his children, he sends Surya and Charumathi to Madras.

Years pass and Velu's power continues to grow in Bombay. Surya and Charumathi return to Bombay as adults; Surya is initially hesitant to follow his father's path but eventually accepts it.

Surya dies in a petrol bunk explosion while attempting to escape from the police on a botched mission. Charumathi blames Velu for the tragedy and disowns him.

A new ACP Patil is assigned to eliminate gangsters in Bombay; his first target is Velu. Velu learns that Charumathi is married to Patil and that they have a son; Patil also discovers that Charumathi is Velu's daughter.

Velu goes into hiding but ultimately surrenders to save his allies from torture. Charumathi arranges the surrender, and Velu is exonerated in court due to lack of evidence, greeted by cheering supporters. In a final twist, he meets his grandson Shaktivel in court before Ajit shoots him and is arrested.