Rishi

Rishi

Year: 2001

Runtime: 143 mins

Language: Tamil

Director: Sundar C

Action

Rishi, a thief, happens to own a floppy incriminating a minister of murder. Things turn chaotic when his lookalike Velu is targeted by the minister for the footage.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – Rishi (2001)

Trace every key event in Rishi (2001) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Rishi witnesses Devaraj murder and retrieves the floppy

During a mission, Rishi watches Minister Devaraj kill Hema, a TV reporter who was about to expose him. Before dying, Hema hands a floppy to Rishi containing crucial evidence. Devaraj demands the floppy back, setting a motive for future conflicts.

City (on the mission)
2

Velu lives a simple, lookalike life to Rishi

Velu leads a simple life, working for a moneylender and supported by his friend Cheenu. He is a lookalike of Rishi, unaware that destiny will pull him into the criminal underworld. The car-lending Seth and Velu's routine existence are about to collide with Rishi's world.

City
3

Doppelganger clash: paths cross

Rishi and Velu’s worlds collide when they are mistaken for one another. The underworld targets Velu as a stand-in for Rishi, escalating the danger. The line between ally and rival blurs as the doubles run into each other.

City
4

Nandhini's blinding triggers a moral turn

During a mission, Nandhini is blinded. Rishi saves her life and arranges funds for her eye operation, becoming her protector. He parts ways with Sathya over this moral turn, though he remains reluctant to leave crime behind completely.

City
5

Indu and Velu's romance; suspicion of Rishi

Indu becomes Velu's girlfriend, but she soon sees Rishi with Nandhini and suspects Velu of duplicity. She misreads the situation, thinking Velu is lying about his feelings. The growing mistrust strains both couples and deepens the central mystery.

City
6

Velu attacked for the floppy; hospital meeting

A gang attacks Velu, pressing for the floppy. The attack heightens the danger surrounding Velu and raises Indu's suspicions. Velu ends up in the hospital, where he unexpectedly encounters Rishi, sparking a tense, necessary meeting.

Hospital
7

Rishi and Velu form a fragile alliance

In the hospital, Rishi and Velu meet and begin to understand each other's predicament. They forge a fragile alliance as they piece together the riddle of the lookalikes. The duo decides to cooperate to unravel the conspiracy.

Hospital
8

Devaraj abducts Nandhini; blackmail to kill CM

Devaraj, sensing his political position weakening, kidnaps Nandhini with Sathya's help. He uses her as leverage to coerce Rishi into killing the Chief Minister. Velu becomes entangled in the plan by proxy as the pair tries to manipulate events.

City
9

Velu steps in for the assassination

Velu volunteers to take the assassination in place of Rishi, attempting to protect Nandhini and expose the conspiracy from within. He accepts the risk, entering the dangerous criminal theater with high stakes. The mission pushes the lookalikes closer to a deadly confrontation.

Chief Minister's security zone
10

Die Hard 2 moment: warning met with betrayal

A climactic moment borrows from Die Hard 2 as Rishi tries to warn the security personnel about the plot. The guards and officials seem to be part of the conspiracy, rendering his warning useless. The plan unfolds with mounting danger for the Chief Minister.

Security/Minister's building
11

Final showdown: Velu is shot, CM saved, Devaraj arrested

The film ends abruptly with Velu being shot, the Chief Minister's life being saved by Rishi, and Devaraj arrested. The conclusion emphasizes the collapse of the conspiracy and the price paid by the lookalikes.

City

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 15:24

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