Pichaikkaran

Pichaikkaran

Year: 2016

Runtime: 130 mins

Language: Tamil

Director: Sasi

DramaActionThriller

A rich man chooses to lead the life of a beggar for 48 days in the hope that his mother, who is on her deathbed, will recover.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Pichaikkaran yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline & Setting – Pichaikkaran (2016)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Pichaikkaran (2016). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Present day

The events take place in contemporary India's urban and semi-urban spaces. It reflects current social issues, including corporate pressure, medical ethics, and the stigma of poverty. The 48-day beggar odyssey unfolds across days in the near past to the present.

Location

Palladam, Tirupur district, Chennai

Set in Palladam, a textile hub in the Tirupur district, home to Arul's family business. The tale also moves to Chennai, where beggar life unfolds near a temple and where the urban social world collides with family duty. The settings span industrial workshops, hospitals, and temple precincts, highlighting a modern Tamil Nadu backdrop.

🏭 Textile town 🛕 Temple town

Last Updated: October 03, 2025 at 06:12

Main Characters – Pichaikkaran (2016)

Meet the key characters of Pichaikkaran (2016), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Arul (Vijay Antony)

A wealthy businessman who hides his true identity to live as a beggar for 48 days. His decision is driven by love for his comatose mother and a sense of responsibility to protect his family’s legacy. He shows resilience, empathy, and a principled moral code even when stripped of wealth.

💼 Businessman ❤️ Selfless 🧭 Duty-bound

Rajesh (Bagavathi Perumal)

Arul’s loyal friend who runs the family business in his absence. He demonstrates steadfast support and practical street-smarts, keeping the enterprise afloat while the master is away. His dedication and humor balance the story’s heavier moments.

🤝 Friend 🧭 Loyal 🧠 Supportive

Magizhini (Satna Titus)

A compassionate young woman whose generosity draws Arul in. She embodies integrity and moral courage, ultimately helping him confront deception and danger. Her evolving understanding of Arul deepens their bond and his resolve.

💖 Compassionate 🌟 Optimistic 🕊️ Kind

Avinashi (Muthu Raman)

A money-minded relative who seeks to seize the family business. His greed creates external pressure and provokes conflict, testing Arul’s resolve and loyalty. He represents the corrupt impulse that the story warns against.

💰 Greedy 🗡️ Antagonist ⚖️ Opportunistic

Bhuvaneshwari (Dheepa Ramanujam)

Arul’s mother, a pillar of strength who becomes the emotional center of the film. Her coma and slow recovery anchor the stakes and justify the sacrificial journey. She symbolizes resilience and the family’s enduring love.

👩 Mother 💪 Resilient 🕊️ Nurturing

Last Updated: October 03, 2025 at 06:12

Major Themes – Pichaikkaran (2016)

Explore the central themes of Pichaikkaran (2016), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

💖 Sacrifice

A central theme is self-sacrifice for family. Arul disguises himself as a beggar and endures hardship to save his mother’s life, illustrating how love can drive extreme personal risk. The story frames sacrifice as a driver of moral courage and social responsibility. It also raises questions about personal identity versus duty.

💼 Duty & Loyalty

Arul's commitment to his family and his friend Rajesh demonstrates loyalty beyond personal gain. The beggar disguise is a test of loyalty—to his mother, to his family legacy, and to those who support him. The film contrasts private obligations with public appearances, showing how duty shapes decision-making.

🕊️ Trust & Compassion

Magizhini's generosity and trust in Arul reveal the power of compassion to transform strangers into allies. The romance is built on mutual respect and moral integrity, not deception. The story uses acts of kindness to counter greed and cruelty encountered in the world.

💰 Greed & Ethics

The antagonist Avinashi embodies greed, attempting to grab family wealth while exploiting others. The subplot of unethical experiments by doctors exposes corruption in the medical establishment. The film challenges the ethics of wealth, power, and manipulation over vulnerable lives.

Last Updated: October 03, 2025 at 06:12

Unlock the Full Story of Pichaikkaran

Don't stop at just watching — explore Pichaikkaran in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Pichaikkaran is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Pichaikkaran Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Pichaikkaran, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Pichaikkaran Summary

Pichaikkaran Timeline

Track the full timeline of Pichaikkaran with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Pichaikkaran Timeline

Pichaikkaran Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Pichaikkaran that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

Pichaikkaran Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Pichaikkaran

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Pichaikkaran: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Pichaikkaran