Engal Anna 2004

The film opens with a tense flashback that sets the stage for a decades-long feud between two powerful families: Sundaralingam Prabhakaran (SP) and Bhavani Easwaramurthy. In this memory, SP and Bhavani are in love, even as their families clash over a tragedy that fractures their worlds. SP’s father, Sundaralingam, is accused of killing Bhavani’s father, Easwaramurthy, and in a bid to prove his father’s innocence and make amends, SP mortgages his own house to bankroll Bhavani’s factory. He believes his father is guilty and acts to redeem the family name, but Bhavani is haunted by revenge and the two lovers find themselves on opposite sides of a brutal, personal conflict. On his mother’s deathbed, SP learns a painful truth: his father had another wife, and forgiveness must be sought from those who were wronged. This revelation shakes SP to his core, and in a pivotal confrontation at Bhavani’s house, he tries to reveal the real killer—Bhavani’s uncle—but Bhavani refuses to listen. Overwhelmed by the truth yet thwarted by doubt, SP declares that he no longer loves Bhavani and vows to remain a bachelor forever.

Fast forward to the present, where a legal battle binds SP to Bhavani in a bitter fight over his reclaimed house. SP emerges victorious, only to face Bhavani’s fury and threats of destruction. The courtroom win marks a turning point: SP is now a successful businessman, and his life is interwoven with a cast of characters who support and test him. His stepsister Parvathi—the daughter of his father’s other wife—lives next door, unaware that SP is her brother. SP’s loyal aide Mayilsamy is a steadfast bachelor who shares in the daily strains of their household. A newcomer named Gowri arrives at the hostel where Parvathi stays and makes it her mission to win SP’s affection, though SP views her as a nuisance and true feelings remain unclear.

Meanwhile, SP’s mother and Mayil orchestrate a plan to reform Kannan, Ramanathan’s son and a notorious flirt. Kannan’s mother wants him to settle down, so SP agrees to sponsor his stay and guide him toward a better path. Kannan’s arrival is also tied to Parvathi, who lives nearby and becomes the target of Kannan’s attention. Gowri soon discovers that SP is quietly funding Parvathi’s studies, a revelation that sets off a new set of tensions. At Parvathi’s birthday party, Gowri invites SP, only for Bhavani to interrupt and take Gowri away. It becomes clear that Gowri is Bhavani’s sister, which stirs a new rivalrous dynamic between the two women.

As Parvathi’s presence grows, she starts to show affection for Kannan, though she privately knows such feelings complicate the delicate balance of friendships and loyalties. Durairaj, Bhavani’s husband, arrives with his gang and attempts to kidnap Parvathi, triggering a rescue mission led by SP, Mayil, and Cheenu. In a surprising turn, Kannan steps forward to bring Gowri back into their orbit, and SP reveals a pivotal promise: he will sponsor the girl who truly loves SP in the same way he sponsors Parvathi, whom he admires for her steadfast nature. This moment reshapes the unspoken bonds between the characters and nudges SP toward a dramatic decision.

SP invites Parvathi to move into his house, while Kannan and Cheenu relocate to a guesthouse. The romance between Parvathi and Kannan intensifies, and a near-miss on the balcony makes SP realize that their feelings run deep. He urges Kannan to vow that Parvathi will be his only partner, while Parvathi’s devotion to her newfound family becomes clearer. With SP’s support, Kannan and Parvathi’s union is made possible through a formal arrangement, and SP transfers his wealth and assets to Parvathi’s name to secure her future. But a wave of misunderstandings ripples through the family when Parvathi discovers SP’s generosity is meant to honor her, not erase her identity as his sister. This leads to a poignant moment of reconciliation, as Parvathi and SP acknowledge their bond as siblings and reaffirm their care for one another.

Amid the wedding festivities, Bhavani and Durairaj reappear, seeking to derail the celebrations. Veerapandi, Parvathi’s elder brother, denounces SP’s rights over Parvathi, claiming a stronger claim as her guardian. The confrontation stirs a moral crossfire: Bhavani’s household figures attempt to seize SP’s business and his home, while Parvathi longs for harmony among her brothers. In the heat of the clash, SP vows to protect Parvathi and to stand up to anyone who would separate them. Bhavani then proposes a final, unexpected option: Gowri, Bhavani’s sister, should marry SP. The stalemate unsettles everyone, and Parvathi’s pleas for peace echo through the room.

As the emotional turmoil intensifies, Parvathi makes a heartfelt appeal to stop the fighting and to allow each person to find happiness in their own way. But the reality of Samarpan and family duty complicates the choice. The truth comes to a head when SP confronts Bhavani and realizes that it was actually Durairaj and his father who orchestrated the murder plot for money—and that Durairaj’s confession also reveals a deeper, damaging truth: his love for Bhavani had driven him to lie and manipulate. Bhavani, shocked and repentant, returns to SP’s home to apologize. She offers a final, fateful proposal: Gowri should marry SP. Although SP initially hesitates, convinced by Kannan that he would remain a bachelor otherwise, he ultimately accepts the proposal and asks everyone to proceed with Gowri.

In the closing moments, the screen resolves with Gowri stepping into SP’s life, and the circle of lovers and siblings finding a new equilibrium. The film ends on a note of forgiveness, reconciliation, and a redefined sense of family, as Gowri’s future with SP becomes the new centerpiece of the story’s complicated, interwoven relationships.