The film is based on a true story.

Set in modern times in a rural village in Theni in south India, the film portrays communal riots due to caste. Muneeshwaran (Vijay Yesudas) is a young jobless man who spends all his time with his like-minded friends, roaming around in the village with no purpose in life. One day, while Muneesh is accompanying an old lady to the police station, he learns that the villagers have high regard for cops, as they earn easy money and get free liquor. Before leaving, he promises his childhood sweetheart Malar (Amritha Aiyer) in the village that he will complete the training and marry her. Muneesh's uncle Krishnan (Bharathiraja), a retired army officer, helps Muneesh get an entry into the police force by bribing the higher officials. Muneesh finds it tough at the training camp and even runs away halfway through to his village. However, his seniors manage to track him down and forcefully bring him back to camp. Eventually, Muneesh completes his training and becomes a police officer.

While Muneesh is away at camp, his widowed cousin is killed by his own relatives after her family finds out that she is in love with a young man from another caste who has made plans to elope with her. The man is brutally murdered, as well, prompting a violent retaliation from members of the rival clan, leading to a caste war. As part of his first duty as a police officer, Muneesh is posted to his village to control the communal riots, which are fueled by one of his own uncles. Muneesh has to choose either to stay loyal to his duties or his caste. He then joins forces with his superior Selvam (Akhil) and arrests all those who were involved in the deadly riots, including his own uncle and cousins. However, all of them are released on bail.

In the end, both leaders of the rival clans promise to make peace in order for the annual temple festival to be held. Muneesh attends the festival to ensure that his uncle and cousins do not cause any problems. However, they throw petrol on Muneesh and set him on fire. Krishnan and Malar try to save Muneesh but are stopped by the other villagers, who feel that Muneesh has betrayed their clan. The burning Muneesh forcefully hugs his own uncle, who was leader of his caste gang, and both of them die. Later, a drunk Krishnan is seen erecting a memorial stone at Muneesh's burial site.