| Director | Suresh Krishna, Suresh Krissna |
|---|---|
| Box office | $15 million |
Manikam is a humble auto-rickshaw driver living in Madras with his mother, Vijayalakshmi, his sisters, Geetha and Kavitha, and his brother, Shiva. He is deeply committed to his family's welfare, successfully arranging Kavitha's marriage into an affluent family and supporting Shiva in becoming a Sub-Inspector of police. When the interviewing DIG, Dinakar, sees Manikam's photograph, he immediately recognizes him and requests a meeting, though a hesitant Manikam avoids the encounter, raising Dinakar's suspicions. Later, when a corrupt medical college chairman demands sexual favors from Geetha in exchange for admission, Manikam confronts him privately. After a brief, unheard conversation behind closed doors, the terrified chairman unconditionally grants Geetha her seat.
Meanwhile, a wealthy young woman named Priya frequently rides in Manikam's auto-rickshaw and falls in love with his honorable character. After discovering that her father, Kesavan, is a smuggler, she distances herself from her family and proposes to Manikam. He initially declines upon learning she is Kesavan's daughter but eventually accepts her love. Tensions arise in the city due to Indiran, a ruthless gangster who extorts local businesses. When Shiva arrests and beats two of Indiran's henchmen for extortion, Indiran retaliates by threatening the young cop. Manikam intervenes to protect his brother, voluntarily allowing himself to be tied to a pole and brutally beaten by Indiran without fighting back. However, when Shiva locks Indiran up again, the enraged gangster kidnaps Geetha upon his release and attempts to molest her in public. Breaking his vow of non-violence, Manikam savagely decimates Indiran and his entire gang. The sheer ferocity of the beating shocks Shiva, who demands to know the truth about Manikam's mysterious past life in Bombay, forcing Manikam to reflect on his history.
In a flashback, Manikam lives with his parents in Bombay while his siblings study in Madras. His father, Rangasamy, is an honest man bound by absolute loyalty to his employer, the powerful mafia don Mark Antony. When Manikam and his close friend Anwar Baasha begin protesting against the atrocities committed by Antony's syndicate, Antony brutally executes Anwar. Manikam is spared only out of respect for Rangasamy. Enraged by his friend's murder, Manikam chooses the path of violence to dismantle Antony's empire. Rechristening himself as "Manik Baashha," he rises to become a benevolent but feared underworld don, earning the adoration of the public while systematically dismantling Antony's smuggling operations.
Desperate to eliminate his rival, Antony orchestrates an assassination attempt that Baashha survives. In retaliation, Antony murders Rangasamy. A grieving Baashha assists the police in capturing and imprisoning the don, while Antony's treacherous lieutenant, Kesavan, murders Antony's remaining family to inherit his wealth and criminal empire. On his deathbed, Rangasamy begs his son to abandon the underworld and lead a peaceful life. Honoring his father's final wish, Baashha fakes his death and flees to Madras with his mother to live in obscurity as an auto driver.
In the present day, Manikam learns that Kesavan is forcing Priya into an arranged marriage and storms the wedding hall. The moment Kesavan recognizes the auto driver as the legendary Baashha, he panics and instantly allows Priya to leave with him. Word of Baashha's survival spreads, reaching Mark Antony, who executes a daring prison break. Antony murders the treacherous Kesavan and kidnaps Manikam's mother and siblings, demanding Baashha's surrender in exchange for their lives. Manikam rushes to the hideout, single-handedly overpowering Antony's mercenary army and rescuing his family. As Manikam corners the don and prepares to kill him, DIG Dinakar arrives to intervene. Seizing a final opportunity, Antony snatches Dinakar's service weapon to shoot Manikam, but Shiva fires first, shooting Antony dead. With the ghosts of his past finally laid to rest, Manikam safely reunites with Priya.