Thalapathi

A fourteen-year-old Kalyani gives birth to a boy and, fearing social backlash and her own incapacity, abandons him inside a moving goods train. The baby is found by a slum dweller who decides to raise him. The yellow shawl is the only tangible link to his mother.

A slum dweller finds the baby and brings him home, naming him Surya. He grows up with a strong sense of justice and becomes intolerant of injustice toward the poor. The shawl remains the sole reminder of his unknown mother.

Surya attacks and kills Ramana, an aide of the gangster Devaraj. He is arrested for murder and subjected to brutal police torture. Devaraj bails him out after recognizing that Surya’s cause is genuine.

Surya and Devaraj, sharing a common stance against injustice, become allies. Devaraj publicly declares Surya his Thalapathi (commander) and best friend.

Arjun is introduced as the city's new district collector who aims to curb violence through lawful means. He is the second son of Kalyani, now a social worker. He remains unaware of Surya’s past and his own mother’s history.

Kalyani, now a social worker and Krishnamoorthy’s wife, has not told Arjun about Surya and is haunted by the memory of her long-lost firstborn. She continues to help others while guarding her secret.

Subbulaxmi, who is smitten by Surya’s transparent nature, faces opposition from her orthodox father, who arranges her marriage to Arjun. Subbulaxmi slowly grows to despise Surya’s use of violence. The evolving triangle complicates loyalties in the city.

Padma, Ramana’s widow, feels guilty and vulnerable around unscrupulous men. Devaraj shelters her and her child, contemplating a marriage between Padma and Surya to secure their safety.

Surya agrees to marry Padma and gradually earns the affection of her child, forming a makeshift family under Devaraj’s protection.

At a medical camp, Kalyani meets Padma and her daughter and spots the shawl wrapped around Surya. A suspect identification helps reveal that Surya is Kalyani’s long-lost son.

Krishnamoorthy secretly meets Surya and shares the truth about his origin. Surya pleads with him to promise not to reveal it to Kalyani to spare her from pain.

Kalyani eventually locates Surya and meets him; Surya vows not to harm Arjun for her sake. Devaraj, learning of Surya’s meeting with his mother and his family ties, decides to surrender.

Devaraj and Surya meet Arjun, who now knows Surya is his half-brother. The revelation reshapes loyalties as the brothers navigate their bond and shared fight against crime.

Kalivardhan's henchmen open fire and Devaraj is killed in the confrontation. Enraged, Surya storms Kalivardhan’s house, kills Kalivardhan and his men, and surrenders to the police, but is exonerated due to lack of evidence.

Arjun is transferred to another state with Subbulaxmi, while Kalyani remains with Surya. The two families adjust to their new realities, continuing their shared struggle against injustice in different ways.