Poraali

Poraali

Year: 2011

Runtime: 145 mins

Language: Tamil

Director: Samuthirakani

Drama

Kumaran and Nallavan travel from Thrissur to Chennai seeking work, staying with friend Pulikutty. They get jobs at a fuel station; Nallavan quickly falls for co‑worker Tamilarasi. Kumaran clashes with neighbour film dancer Bharathi, who later sees his honesty and loves him. Just as their lives improve, a hidden past resurfaces, threatening stability.

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Timeline & Setting – Poraali (2011)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Poraali (2011). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

Mental asylum, Chennai, Pulikutti's house, Indian Oil petrol bunk

The film opens with Kumaran and Nallavan escaping a mental asylum and seeking safety in Chennai. They take refuge at Pulikutti's house and later find work at an Indian Oil petrol bunk in the city. The setting shifts between a modest urban neighborhood and the supportive cluster around Pulikutti's home as they begin a service for people in need. These locations illustrate the tension between institutional control and grassroots compassion.

🏚️ Mental asylum 🏙️ Cityscape 🏠 Shelter 🛢️ Petrol bunk

Last Updated: October 03, 2025 at 06:32

Main Characters – Poraali (2011)

Meet the key characters of Poraali (2011), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Ilangkumaran (M. Sasikumar)

A determined, compassionate man whose past is defined by a violent family feud over land and a false label of mental illness. He escapes a mental asylum with a steadfast moral compass and a drive to protect others. He leads with empathy, choosing a constructive path after reuniting with Nallavan.

🎭 Protagonist 💼 Social Justice

Nallavan (Allari Naresh)

Kumaran's loyal companion who shares the burden of their past. He brings practicality and humor to their struggles, helping to build a life in Chennai. His camaraderie strengthens their resolve as they launch their service for people in need.

🤝 Ally 😂 Comic Relief

Pulikutti (Ganja Karuppu)

A neighbor who offers shelter to Kumaran and Nallavan and later helps publicize their service. His house becomes a base of support and a springboard for their new life in the city. He embodies the role of an approachable, practical helper.

🏠 Landlord 🗣️ Connector

Bharathi (Swathi Reddy)

Kumaran's neighbor who starts off wary of him but grows to respect his genuine care for others. Her stance shifts as she witnesses their compassionate acts and community-minded service. She represents warmth and trust in a crowded city.

💖 Love Interest 🧭 Moral Compass

Tamizhselvi (Nivetha Thomas)

A young woman who captures Nallavan's attention and becomes part of the budding romance subplot. She appears as a personal stake in their new life.

💘 Romance 🌸 Love Interest

Pichai (Soori)

A Chennai newcomer with a plan to donate their land to the government, catalyzing the climactic turn of events. He drives the community action that leads to reclaiming peace.

🎯 Catalyst 🧩 Schemer

Doctor (Jayaprakash)

A kind doctor who supports Kumaran and helps him escape, embodying benevolence within the system. He serves as a moral ally who aids the protagonists when they are most vulnerable.

🩺 Healer 🛡️ Ally

House owner (G. Gnanasambandam)

The owner of the shelter who provides a safe space for Kumaran and Nallavan and becomes an ally in their new life. His home acts as a community hub for their reform efforts.

🏠 Landlord 🧭 Guide

Maari (Vasundhara Kashyap)

A neighbor character who contributes to the social fabric around Kumaran's circle. Her presence adds texture to the community that helps the protagonists reinvent themselves.

👥 Neighbor 🌟 Supporting

Shanthi (Sandra Amy)

A member of the community who appears midway, reinforcing the sense of togetherness and the triumph of the protagonists' peaceful path.

🫂 Community 🧭 Support

Last Updated: October 03, 2025 at 06:32

Major Themes – Poraali (2011)

Explore the central themes of Poraali (2011), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

💪 Resilience

Kumaran and Nallavan endure years of manipulation and stigma, choosing to fight back rather than surrender. Their escape and ongoing efforts to help others demonstrate grit, perseverance, and a resolve to redefine their identities. The narrative frames resilience as a tool against injustice and personal hardship.

🤝 Friendship

The two protagonists rely on each other to survive and rebuild their lives after escape. New allies from the neighborhood rally around them, turning a risky plan into a shared mission to assist people in need. The story emphasizes trust, loyalty, and community support as engines of change.

⚖️ Injustice

Kumaran's land dispute reveals how greed and manipulation can oppress a family, even to the point of branding him mentally ill. The relatives' pursuit of land creates a moral conflict that the protagonists must confront. The film dramatizes corruption and the fight for rightful ownership.

Last Updated: October 03, 2025 at 06:32

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Poraali Summary

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Poraali Timeline

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Poraali Timeline

Poraali Spoiler-Free Summary

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Poraali Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Poraali

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