| Director | Tatineni Prakash Rao |
|---|
Manickam is the leader of a fishing community named Thirukaai Meenavargal (Turbot fisherman). In the same area lives Alaiyappan, the leader of the opposing fishing community Sura Meenavargal (Shark fishermen). While Manickam is honest, compassionate and principled, Alaiyappan is the opposite, driven mainly by greed. Manickam's father wishes to see the enmity between the two groups end, and he persuades them to be friends. The Sura Meenavargal refuse, and beat him to death. Manickam promises to fulfill his father's wish, and works hard to end the enmity. The person responsible for fuelling this enmity is the village zamindar Neelamagam, who stands to gain the most from it all. Alaiyappan's blind allegiance is to Neelamagam.
Manickam falls in love with Alaiyappan's daughter Muthazhagi, and she reciprocates. However, their romance is disapproved of by their communities. When Manickam goes to Sura Meenavargal to seek peace, he is beaten to his apparent death. Because of this, his men nearly kill Alaiyappan, who is then saved by a mysterious old man. Thankful to the old man, Alaiyappan allows him to stay for the night at his home. Muthazhagi later realises the old man is actually Manickam in disguise, but conceals it from everyone. Even when there is a boat race between the two communities, the disguised Manickam chooses to go with Sura Meenavargal, and they win. However, his cover is blown soon after, and an enraged Alaiyappan forces him to leave Muthazhagi.
Neelamagam wants to marry Muthazhagi, and Alaiyappan reluctantly agrees due to lack of funds, but Muthazhagi is unwilling. She is kept at Neelamagam's mansion and is unable to escape, as even Manickam (in a new disguise) fails to save her. Neelamagam's wife Meenvizhi secretly helps Muthazhagi out of the mansion. For doing so, she is killed by Neelamagam. He begins to chase Muthazhagi, but is cornered by Manickam and a fight ensues between the duo. Shortly after, the local police arrive and arrest Neelamagam for murdering his wife. With both the communities reconciling, Alaiyappan agrees for Muthazhagi and Manickam to be married.