Vennila Kabadi Kuzhu

Marimuthu is introduced as a poor goat herder in Kanakkanpatti who loses his formal education after his father's death. He toils on a farm and can stay at home only during holidays, yet he nourishes a passion for kabaddi. With his childhood friends, he dreams of leading their village team to a local tournament victory.

Marimuthu and his friends—Ayyappan, Sekar, Murthy, Appukutty, Subramani, and Pandi—form the Vennila Kabadi Kuzhu, a team infamous for never having won a match. Sekar, the rich and hot-tempered captain, leads the squad and fuels their stubborn ambition. They long to break their losing streak and gain recognition in kabaddi.

At the village annual festival, they organize a friendly match against a neighbouring village while Savadamuthu, the coach of the state's top team, serves as chief guest. The game becomes tense and rough, exposing the players’ flaws and potential. The high-stakes atmosphere tests their resolve and chemistry.

They travel to Madurai for what is described as a state-level pre-qualified tournament where local teams may not participate. They learn that the district team has forfeited at the last moment, allowing them to enter as the Dindigul district team. This unexpected entry gives them a chance to prove themselves on a bigger stage.

Backed by a plan to bring in a rookie substitute from a Paper Mills team, Savadamuthu is confronted by the rest of the squad who rebel against him and force him out of coaching. The team’s stance signals deep divisions and a turning point in their fortunes.

After his expulsion, Savadamuthu parts ways with his old state-winning team and agrees to coach Vennila. He imposes rigorous training and tough discipline, determined to unlock their hidden potential and rewrite their history. The players endure grueling sessions as trust grows between them and their new mentor.

Under Savadamuthu's demanding guidance, Vennila advances through the tournament rounds, overcoming disadvantages and skepticism from outsiders. Their cohesion improves, and they steadily move toward the final, surprising many with their resilience. The team begins to believe in a historic breakthrough.

In the semifinals, opponents target Marimuthu, dislocating his collarbone and sending him to the hospital. The rest of the team rallies, delivering a dominant victory that hinges on a brutal offensive display despite the setback. The hospital stay lasts through the night.

With the final approaching, Sekar tries to sabotage Marimuthu by pressing that Railways will pick a finalist player, hoping to keep him from playing. The coach and team stand together and expel Sekar, uniting behind Marimuthu for the championship.

The final unfolds with Vennila struggling early but rebounding in the second half. The match ends in a draw, triggering a tiebreaker where each side sends its players one-on-one. Marimuthu is assigned to defend for the last raid, a moment that could decide the title.

In the decisive one-on-one, the raider lightly kicks Marimuthu's chest and they both fall. The raider cannot touch the line within the time, and Marimuthu’s defense secures a historic victory for Vennila, making them the first rookie state champions. The village erupts with joy and relief as the underdogs clinch the title.

Months later, Marimuthu's love interest returns to the village festival, only to find him missing. It is revealed that he died when his heart stopped after the chest-kick shock in the final, and his friends decide not to reveal the tragedy to spare her pain. The film ends with his mother still grieving, leaving his fate ambiguously unresolved.