Painkili

Sheeba, a young girl, desperately tries to run away from her home to avoid her arranged marriage. She plans to elope with the local goon Peter, hoping to use him as a means to oppose her parents' wishes. However, her plans fail, and she is forced to return home after her escape attempt is thwarted.

Suku, a graphic shop owner, travels to Coimbatore with his friend Paachan to purchase a digital printer. During their stay, they confront a thief attempting to steal Suku's motorcycle, which results in Suku accidentally killing the thief. They hurriedly escape back to their village to avoid the law.

Fearing arrest, Suku seeks help from Thanku, a petty criminal, who advises him to fake insanity in court. Suku is admitted to a mental health institution for 10 days to obtain a certificate claiming he is mentally ill, which would help him avoid jail.

Suku is released after 10 days, but the village begins to believe he is genuinely insane. His family and neighbors treat him with suspicion, causing Suku frustration and social alienation, even as the police have closed the case as a hit-and-run incident.

Sheeba arranges to meet Kunjaayi at her pre-wedding celebrations. Convincing Suku to join her, she secretly elopes with Kunjaayi, but things go awry when she uses the opportunity to actually run away from her family, with Suku unknowingly assisting her.

Sheeba's elopement leads to her revealing herself as Suku's girlfriend to his family, who unexpectedly accept her. Suku is caught off guard but feels responsible for her and tries to help her escape her oppressive family.

Suku, Paachan, Kunjaayi, and Suma devise various schemes to separate Sheeba from her family, but all attempts prove unsuccessful. They uncover that her step-parents seek to steal her inheritance by forcing her into marriage.

Suku falls in love with Sheeba and makes earnest yet awkward attempts to impress her. Sheeba ridicules him, leading Suku to have a mental breakdown, feeling heartbroken and helpless over their complicated situation.

Sheeba's father and goons arrive at Suku's house to take her away, prompting Suku to attack them violently, which makes him appear unstable. He then reveals the truth to his own family, vowing to support Sheeba's education by enrolling her in a women's hostel.

Sheeba starts living independently in a hostel, fulfilling her desire for freedom and education. She thanks Suku for his help and apologizes for the troubles caused, while Suku secretly confesses his love, only to be rejected.

On the return journey, Suku realizes Suma's love for him and proposes marriage. Suma happily accepts, marking a new beginning for both of them after the tumultuous events involving Sheeba.