Padayappa

Padayappa, a mechanical engineer, returns to his village to attend Nandhini's engagement to Suryaprakash. He encounters Vasundhara, Rajarathnam's maid, and feels an instant spark, fueling a growing attraction. Neelambari, Suryaprakash's sister, also falls for Padayappa, setting up the beginnings of a rival love triangle.

Ramalingam demands a share in the family property, hoping to gain wealth and status, but Dharmalingam refuses. The dispute festers, and Dharmalingam dies just as the family leaves for Padayappa's Madras home.

Within days, Suryaprakash marries Ramalingam's daughter Meena, seeking the family's wealth and status. Rajarathnam humiliates Savitri in public, but she blesses the couple and leaves, masking her pain.

The family leaves their home the same evening to go to Padayappa's home in Madras. Dharmalingam dies just as they depart, cutting short any potential reconciliation.

Padayappa starts cleaning his land for agriculture, laying the groundwork for a new life. Ramalingam's spy discovers a solid granite hill on the property, signaling huge wealth if exploited.

Ramalingam tries to force the family to sign over the land by leveraging the granite discovery. Savitri cancels the deal after learning the true motive, and Ramalingam's men close in, prompting Padayappa to fight and leave with his family.

Padayappa launches a granite venture, grows wealthy, and moves into the position of chieftain previously held by his father. The family relocates to a grand new mansion and regains village respect.

Nandhini marries Sivaraman, one of the chief engineers at Padayappa's company. This alliance strengthens the family's social standing.

Neelambari discovers Padayappa's love for Vasundhara and is heartbroken, even attempting self-harm. Her parents plead with Savitri to allow Neelambari to marry Padayappa, but Savitri instead arranges Vasundhara's marriage to Padayappa, provoking Rajarathnam to commit suicide that night.

Padayappa marries Vasundhara to honor Savitri's plan and to secure his future. Neelambari vows revenge and attempts to undermine him twice, but fails.

Eighteen years pass; Suryaprakash is now home minister and Ramalingam's finances start failing, threatening eviction. Padayappa returns to his aid, rescuing Ramalingam and his family, and earning their forgiveness.

Neelambari engineers Chandru to pretend to fall in love with Anitha to humiliate Padayappa. Padayappa discovers that Chandru’s feelings for Anitha are real, not just manipulation. Meanwhile, Padayappa works to arrange Anitha’s marriage to Sarathi to honor his earlier plan.

Padayappa takes Chandru and Anitha to the temple to marry; Neelambari and Suryaprakash chase them to stop the union. During the pursuit, Suryaprakash is killed in a car accident, heightening the personal stakes of the conflict.

Neelambari arrives at the temple armed with a machine gun to kill Padayappa. He saves her life by shielding her from a charging bull, but the bullets miss him; overwhelmed by defeat, she commits suicide and vows revenge in her next birth.

Padayappa chooses mercy over vengeance and prays for Neelambari's soul to find peace. The story concludes with him continuing his life as a respected patriarch, having secured his family's future and legacy.