Polladhavan

Polladhavan

Year: 1980

Runtime: 134 mins

Language: Tamil

Director: Muktha Srinivasan

ActionCrimeThriller

While traveling to a new job location, Sita is assaulted and rescued by a stranger who kills her attacker. As she settles into the role, she discovers that her employer is the very killer from that night. He cautions her not to involve the authorities, forcing her to choose between exposing the truth and protecting herself.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Polladhavan 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!

Polladhavan (1980) – Full Plot Summary & Ending Explained

Read the complete plot breakdown of Polladhavan (1980), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.

Seetha, Lakshmi, a young woman, travels by train with her nephew Raju to an estate where she hopes to land a nanny job for the estate merchant Manohar, Rajinikanth, and his daughter Shoba. A fellow passenger on the journey makes a brutal attempt to assault her, but is suddenly shot dead in a swift, startling moment. Seetha witnesses the murderer’s face and later reports the crime to Moorthy, Delhi Ganesh, the local police inspector.

After Seetha is hired as the nanny, she and Manohar’s daughter Shoba grow close, forming a warm bond within the estate. When Manohar returns from a journey, Seetha meets him and realizes that he is the man she saw on the train, a revelation that shakes her. Manohar warns her not to disclose the truth and uses threats to keep her from leaving the property.

Seetha makes several escape attempts, but each one is thwarted. She does not always approach the police, fearing that Manohar would harm Raju if she talks. Over time, Seetha glimpses a more complex man beneath his rough exterior and struggles with why someone who can appear so decent can behave with such arrogance.

In flashbacks, Kumudha, Sripriya, Manohar’s wife, and their daughter Shoba are shown. Kumudha’s uncle Chandru, Sivachandran, had long desired Kumudha and is released from jail after serving his term. Chandru returns and, while Manohar is away, rapes Kumudha; Kumudha dies by suicide, and Manohar vows revenge on Chandru and to protect Shoba.

Manohar then reveals that the man he killed on the train was Chandru, reframing Seetha’s understanding of his actions. Moorthy’s colleague remains curious about Seetha; she insists she remembered the face but later tells him she has forgotten it, leading him to suspect Seetha, a belief Moorthy shares. On Shoba’s birthday, Manohar plans to announce that he will hand over all his wealth to Seetha and surrender to the police, but the police arrive to arrest Seetha. Manohar saves her by confessing to the murder, and he is taken into custody.

A few years later, Manohar is released and reunites with Seetha and Shoba, suggesting a resolution forged through sacrifice, truth, and the uneasy, enduring ties that bind the trio.

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 14:58

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Unlock the Full Story of Polladhavan

Don't stop at just watching — explore Polladhavan 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 Polladhavan is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Polladhavan Timeline

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

Polladhavan Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in Polladhavan

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Polladhavan. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in Polladhavan

More About Polladhavan

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Polladhavan: 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 Polladhavan

Similar Movies to Polladhavan

Discover movies like Polladhavan that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.