Ponman

Bruno, an unemployed and hot-tempered man, emerges in the local political scene and quickly earns a reputation for stirring trouble. He even beats up a church member who protests his campaign posters, foreshadowing the clashes to come. This volatile behavior isolates him from the community and sets the tone for the town's conflicts.

Bruno's mother pushes hard to marry Steffi to secure the family’s future in Kollam’s dowry-driven society. The wedding dowry climbs to 25 sovereigns of gold, a sum they cannot meet without outside help. The clock ticks as they scramble to arrange the match with Mariano, a prawn farmer.

The church refuses to help the struggling family, and Bruno's political party expels him for his misdeeds. His fall from favor deepens the community's distrust and leaves him desperate. The stage is set for a risky, off-the-record deal to save Steffi's future.

Desperate, the family turns to Ajesh, a middleman for a jewellery syndicate, who proposes a cash-driven workaround to cover the dowry. They agree to accept cash equal to 13 sovereigns on the wedding night, hoping the rest will come from guests. The wedding proceeds despite the looming shortfall.

On the wedding night, Ajesh discovers only 13 sovereigns exist and twelve sovereigns remain unpaid. He demands the gold back, but Steffi's mother stalls and Mariano leaves with Steffi and all the gold. Ajesh wakes to the truth and Bruno warns that Mariano is ruthless and dangerous.

Determined, Ajesh follows Steffi to Thalavettichira island, posing as her cousin. He realizes Mariano's family is fiercely protective of the gold and is willing to fight to keep it. Steffi refuses to return the gold and belittles him, while Mariano uncovers Ajesh's true identity.

Ajesh pleads with Mariano, explaining the deal, but Mariano refuses to return the gold, claiming it is rightfully his for his sister's future. An argument escalates and Mariano stabs Ajesh, leaving him injured. Steffi is outraged by the violence and the betrayal.

Bruno arrives to take Steffi home, but Mariano ensures all the gold remains with him before letting her go. The gold's control over their lives grows clearer as Steffi feels drawn toward a different future. Bruno watches this power play unfold.

Steffi and Bruno track down Ajesh's home and discover his impoverished background, with his mother and sister surviving on daily wage labor. His mother asks Steffi to tell Ajesh to call home, revealing the personal cost of the scam. Steffi is moved by the injustice and resolves to push for justice.

Steffi tries to steal the gold back from Mariano but is caught and publicly humiliated by him. The humiliation deepens her empathy for Ajesh and strengthens her resolve to fight the injustice. This moment marks a turning point in her allegiance and courage.

Ajesh recovers and returns to confront Mariano again, vowing not to leave without his rightful 12 sovereigns. He refuses to back down as Mariano stays cold and unyielding. The two prepare for a final clash over the gold.

On the island's grand church feast, Mariano makes Steffi wear part of the gold while keeping the rest in his pocket. Ajesh hatches a plan by calling Mariano from his prawn farm, threatening to flood the waters with prawns to ruin his business. The staged confrontation leads to a dangerous showdown.

Mariano rushes to stop Ajesh, resulting in a struggle at the farm. Ajesh traps Mariano's hand in heavy machinery and retrieves exactly 12 sovereigns owed to him. The money is reclaimed, but the conflict leaves both men changed.

Steffi waits at the church as Ajesh prepares to leave. She admits she cannot return to Mariano's abusive home, and he offers her a way out. They sail away together, choosing freedom over wealth and discovering her value beyond gold.