The film, starring Sarathkumar and Roja, revolves around an IPS officer who is forced to flee after being framed for shooting a minister.

One day, Chettiyar Amma finds a man shivering due to intense cold weather in Top Slip, Pollachi.

Surieyan gets employed as a driver to Usha, the only arrogant daughter of a rich landlord Koopu Konar.

Surieyan escapes from them and hides in Top Slip as he previously overheard home minister's conversation to his henchman Micky.

Surieyan hides his identity and keeps monitoring the forest to trace the activities of Micky, so that he can prove his innocence.

After the success of Vasanthakala Paravai (1991), K. T. Kunjumon again collaborated with cast member Sarathkumar and director Pavithran for a new project titled Surieyan.

[10] On the same day, Ayyappa Prasad The Indian Express wrote "[Surieyan] is a racy entertainer that keeps the viewers attention engaged till the end".

[11] On 22 August, K. Vijiyan of New Straits Times praised the director, saying he "succeeds in keeping the viewers in suspense" but criticised the stunt sequences for being unconvincing.

[14] The film was a major breakthrough for Sarathkumar who previously played mainly negative roles, and its success made him a much sought-after lead actor.