Manickam (Rajnikanth) is an autorickshaw driver who lives with his step-mother, step sisters and brother. A very helpful and non-violent person by nature, he works hard to educate his younger siblings and to get his step-sister married. Kesavan is a local goon and his daughter Priya (Nagma) falls in love with Manickam. But Manickam refuses her love. Somehow, Manickam's gets entagled with Baashha, a name that has its roots in the underworld. Who is this Baashha and what is his connection with Manickam? Is there a murky past behind Manickan's non-violent and helpful nature. What is it? Who is he really? The truth gradually unfolds as the story progresses