Friends 2002

Aravindan, Chandru, and Krishnamoorthy have been inseparable friends since childhood, valuing friendship above all else. Chandru, an orphan who lives with Aravindan’s family, rejects the affection of Aravindan’s sister Amutha to preserve their bond.

While working as painters in Chennai under contractor Nesamani, Aravindan falls for Padmini, who initially sees him only as a friend. Padmini’s cousin Abhirami, jealous and infatuated with Aravindan, tricks him with fake love letters written in Padmini’s name. When Padmini gets engaged to another man, Chandru publicly defends Aravindan and humiliates her, causing the engagement to collapse. Out of spite, Padmini marries Aravindan, intending to ruin his friendship with Chandru. However, during the wedding, the truth about Abhirami’s deceit is revealed, and peace is restored.

Aravindan’s cousin Gautham, who desires Amutha, plots to drive the friends apart. He causes several accidents to frame Padmini, culminating in a sabotaged bullock cart race. When Aravindan races in Chandru’s place and survives, tensions peak. Padmini demands Aravindan end his friendship with Chandru, prompting him to confess a long-held secret: as a child, he accidentally killed Chandru’s mute younger brother. Gautham exposes this to Chandru, leading to a bitter fallout.

After Gautham’s crimes are discovered, Aravindan tries to reconcile with Chandru but falls off a cliff and is presumed dead. Five years later, Chandru, now an army major, learns Aravindan is alive but in a vegetative state. Returning home, he finds Aravindan’s son named after him. When Gautham attacks the family again, Chandru’s cries revive Aravindan, who defeats Gautham. The story ends with the friends and their families reunited.