Varshangalkku Shesham

In the early 1970s, Venu, a high school student, devotes his time to helping traveling plays as they stop in his hometown. One night, the producer asks him to fetch an instrumentalist, Murali, from the landlord's house. Murali is drunk but agrees to perform, and Venu is struck by his spontaneous musicality. The two quickly become friends.

During college, Murali shows up to borrow a book and Venu helps. Murali meets Annie, and he immediately falls in love. Annie, however, reveals that she is sexually involved with her brother-in-law due to his coercive behavior, shocking Murali and affecting his view of life and love.

Murali is shattered by the news and disappears for a while. He writes to Venu that he is leaving for Madras to try his luck in cinema. Venu follows him, and they rent a room in Kodambakkam, the heart of the film industry.

Murali lands a job as a violinist for a B-movie and soon meets producer Keshavadev. Keshavadev tells him the film will flop, dampening initial prospects.

Murali introduces Venu to Keshavadev; Keshavadev is impressed and agrees to produce Venu's film. Venu wants Murali to compose the music, but Murali declines, citing his inexperience.

In a bid to contribute, Murali quietly passes some of his music to Indra Dhanush, who uses it to score the film. The movie is released and becomes a huge success, and the song Murali contributed becomes a national sensation.

Murali wants credit for the song and asks Indra Dhanush to tell Venu it was his. Indra Dhanush rejects him, fueling Murali's sense of injustice. He goes to Venu's house in an inebriated state, where Venu chides him about their different statuses.

Murali leaves in tears but leaves behind a cassette bearing his name containing the song. Venu finds it and realizes the truth about credits. He tries to locate Murali, but Murali has already left Madras for Bombay.

In Bombay, Murali works as a music teacher and falls in love with a colleague, Bhumi. A misunderstanding drives a wedge between them, and their relationship ends.

Murali leaves Bombay after the 1993 bombings and vanishes from public view. Meanwhile, Venu continues directing films and searches for his old friend in vain.

Half a century after the Madras incident, Venu meets Murali again by chance. Murali urges him to return to the film industry, and Annie and her husband John persuade him to accept the renewed collaboration.

At Indra Dhanush's funeral, they meet a young director named Pradeep and begin preparations for Jeevithagaadhakale. The project casts mostly new artists, including the eccentric Nithin Molly.

During filming, producer Keshavadev's son Jayan falls seriously ill, threatening financing. Murali disappears again, and paparazzi film Nithin Molly in an inebriated outburst, creating unexpected hype for the project.

Jeevithagaadhakale opens to outstanding reviews and strong audience reception. During the premiere, Venu receives a call and leaves the theatre, hinting at unresolved matters.

Venu hires a taxi and meets Senthil, an old lodge friend, who directs them toward Karpagam near Salem where Murali lives in a Carnatic music sabha. They travel to Coimbatore to see how audiences react to their film, marking a new chapter in their collaboration.