Dhoni 2012

Subramaniam, Prakash Raj, is a lower-middle-class widower raising two kids, Karthick and Kaveri. He works from dawn to dusk to provide for them and dreams of giving his son an MBA-worthy education. His son, Karthick, a fourteen-year-old cricket hopeful who idolizes Mahendra Singh Dhoni, wants to be an attacking wicketkeeper-batsman. Karthick, Akash Puri, dreams big but struggles in school, especially with his studies.

Kaveri often spends time with Nalini, Radhika Apte. Nalini earns her living through prostitution, and Subramaniam orders his daughter to stay away from her, believing it will keep the family out of trouble.

As Karthick’s academic performance falters, Subramaniam tries to balance discipline with support. He enrolls Karthick in a good school, but the Principal tells him to withdraw his son due to ongoing struggles. Despite the setback, Karthick’s cricket coach remains impressed by his skill, praising him for a key tournament win and signaling that his talent lies on the field even when the classroom is unkind.

The pressure mounts at home. Subramaniam, trying to shield his son, pushes him back toward studies and away from coaching, hoping to salvage a future for him. Tensions come to a head when a moment of rage leads Subramaniam to strike Karthick, injuring him in the head. He is arrested, and the family is left reeling. Karthick slips into a coma, and Subramaniam is overwhelmed with guilt and sorrow. He later expresses gratitude to Nalini for helping cover the hospital bills, a quiet reminder of the complexity of the people around them.

At the hospital, Subramaniam’s journey continues beyond the walls of medicine. When he goes to Karthick’s school to clear out his locker, he discovers trophies and certificates—evidence that his son carried real talent, even if grades did not reflect it. He argues with the teachers about what a boy can be, not just what a report card shows. The conflict spills onto television as Subramaniam appears on a debate, fighting for his son’s right to a chance at life. Because he works in a government office, he is temporarily banned from the office and the loan for his son’s operation is canceled, pushing him to seek help from higher authorities.

In a pivotal moment, Subramaniam meets the Chief Minister, Sarath Babu, at a public function. The Chief Minister promises changes and secures the funds necessary for Karthick’s operation. The operation is successful, and hope returns to the family. Karthick returns to the field, playing in the school’s final cricket tournament, where he lands the last ball for a six and leads his team to victory. The film closes with Karthick’s cricket coach and Subramaniam supporting him, the triumph a testament to perseverance, resilience, and the stubborn belief that education and sport can light the way forward for a family in need.