It revolves around a retired vigilante (Sivaji Ganesan) and his delinquent son (Haasan) who clash due to their differing ideologies.

[2][3] During the British Raj, Vettaikara Thevar is a rich landlord who lives with his wife Devanayaki and younger sister Valliyammai.

Unknown to his family, he is also Santhana Thevar, the masked vigilante leader of a group that terrorises the British colonisers in town and helps the locals.

Eventually, the British learn his secret identity and Valliyammai is raped publicly and murdered in an attempt to draw out Santhanam.

In the end, Santhanam finds out that his own son is betraying the country he fought so hard to free and takes his gun again as Vettaikaran.