Aayirathil Oruvan 2010

In 1279 A.D., the decline of the Chola dynasty was imminent as the Pandyas aggressively pushed their forces out of southern India. To protect the royal heir, the Chola emperor ordered his son to be secretly sent along with a group of refugees to a concealed territory, carrying a sacred idol highly revered by the Pandyas. This act enraged the Pandyas, who launched an extensive invasion into uncharted lands in attempt to hunt down the fleeing Cholas and recover the stolen idol. Despite their efforts, they failed to locate the hidden escape route.

Centuries later, in 2009, the search for the lost Chola people and their mysterious homeland continues. A group of Indian archaeologists—including the dedicated Chandramouli—has been investigating clues left behind by ancient warriors. Unfortunately, all previous expeditions have vanished without a trace, deepening the mystery surrounding the legendary lost land. The latest researcher, Chandramouli, also disappears under suspicious circumstances, prompting the Indian government to launch a new mission.

This latest expedition is led by officer Anitha, who is supported by the Indian army under the command of Ravisekharan. Recognizing the importance of family knowledge, they enlist archaeologist Lavanya, the estranged daughter of Chandramouli, who possesses vital documents about the Chola dynasty and secret instructions on reaching the lost land. The journey begins with a team of porters, headed by Muthu, tasked with transporting supplies across treacherous terrain.

As their journey takes them to Min-gua, an island near Vietnam, they face numerous deadly traps designed by the ancient Chola inhabitants. These include encounters with aggressive sea creatures, cannibals, warriors, venomous snakes, hunger, quicksand, and hostile villages—many of which result in the loss of team members. During these dangerous adventures, Muthu, Anitha, and Lavanya become separated from the rest, eventually arriving at a primitive, isolated village.

The villagers, led by a Chola king, are in hiding, awaiting a legendary messenger believed to bring their salvation and restore their lost glory. The king and his priest interpret omens from the gods, and initially decide to sacrifice Muthu, Anitha, and Lavanya by burning them alive. However, Anitha claims herself to be the divine messenger sent from their homeland, which initially impresses the king. She attempts to persuade him to march back to their ancestral land within two days, aiming to be crowned as rightful ruler. Suspicious of her authenticity, the king notices inconsistencies in her actions, since she does not match the ancient prophecies regarding the messenger’s behavior, such as being preceded by hail.

During her captivity, Anitha secretly drugs the chief priest and poisons the water supply, revealing her true identity as a descendant of the Pandya dynasty—a lineage that has long sought to rediscover the Chola’s lost legacy. It is also revealed that the central minister backing the expedition is a Pandyan, further complicating the political and cultural conflict. Anitha exposes her ancestry and her family’s enduring quest to find the Chola prince and their people. The Chola king, devastated by her deception, begins to lose faith.

In response, Anitha joins Ravisekharan in assembling an army to attack the hidden kingdom. It is ultimately revealed that Muthu is the true messenger, destined to save the Cholas from Anitha’s treachery and the invading forces. Despite their brave resistance, the Cholas are defeated—their women subjected to violence, the king slain, and the men drowning in the seas. Muthu manages to escape amidst the chaos, saving the Chola prince and ensuring that the legacy of the Chola dynasty is preserved—fulfilling the prophecy that the dynasty’s spirit would be carried back to India by the true messenger.