Singapore Saloon

Kathir, a professional barber, sits inside his saloon feeling hollow and despondent. He drops sleeping pills into his alcoholic drink, hoping to end his life. The weight of his failures and loneliness gnaws at him as he prepares to take the fatal sip.

In Tenkasi, Kathir and Basheer are best friends. A barber named Chacha runs the Singapore Saloon, a place that will shape Kathir's future. Kathir initially storms with anger when Chacha makes his head bald and circumcises Basheer, but over time he grows fond of Chacha's techniques and style.

Kathir is drawn to Chacha's cutting techniques and learns by watching and practicing under his tutelage. He forms a bond with Chacha and begins to see hairstyling as more than just a job.

In tenth grade, Kathir falls in love with Nilavathi, the daughter of one of Chacha's customers. When Nila and her father leave town, Kathir is heartbroken, and Chacha scolds him but decides to teach him the trade anyway.

In twelfth grade, Chacha leaves town but leaves his barber's box with Kathir. Kathir's father urges him to go to college to mature, steering him toward a wider future.

Kathir and Basheer go to college. Kathir falls for Nilarathi, who reciprocates after he styles her hair for a school play. He also rejects a job offer from a successful company to pursue his dream of becoming a hairstylist.

Nilarathi calls Kathir and his father, but she later rejects a marriage proposal because of his profession.

Kathir gets a job at Wink Saloon, owned by Anoop Menon. Suresh Chandra Menon visits the saloon, sees Kathir's haircutting style, and Anoop is impressed. He promotes Kathir to a senior stylist with a 50K salary.

Kathir marries Nilavoliyal, his college junior, who is impressed by his talent. He aims to buy property for a new saloon, but the price is steep and family finances become tangled, including a dramatic moment when Chakrapani rewrites a cheque for three crores, only to realise his mistake the next day.

The saloon's construction and interior are completed, and Anoop offers to buy it for six crores, but Kathir refuses to sell his identity. Chakrapani overhears and feels guilty about his actions.

A rainy day leads to the new flats crumbling and slum residents moving onto Kathir's land. Financiers threaten Kathir's friends and family to repay money, and Haseena offers jewels to help cover the funds. Kathir even gets pickpocketed in the ensuing chaos.

Thiruvannamalai comes to Kathir's door, urging him to treat his saloon as a landmark and to feed the parrots that once perched on the banyan tree. He decides to mentor talented boys near the saloon.

Kathir trains a group of boys who receive trims from him and form the Singapore Saloon Gang. They compete in a dance contest and gain support from the city, including Lokesh Kanagaraj.

On the day of the finals, a court orders demolition of the Singapore Saloon for fear of a collapse. Kathir's perseverance, the parrots, and public support help the Singapore Saloon Gang win the finals and halt the demolition.

A few months later, the Singapore Saloon is inaugurated with a visiting minister and Chacha makes a surprise visit. Kathir and Basheer share an emotional reunion with Chacha, who ends by giving Kathir a haircut.