Hero 2019

Sivakarthikeyan plays Sakthivel “Sakthi”, a lively young boy who dreams of becoming a real-life superhero, inspired by Shaktimaan. After being teased by teachers and peers for his belief, he tries to prove it by a dangerous stunt from the school terrace, hurting himself in the process. His father tries to convince him that Shaktimaan is fictional by showing a disclaimer, and Sakthi’s faith begins to wobble as a result.

Years pass, and Sakthi teams up with Inbaraj, better known as Ink, Robo Shankar and the two run a neighborhood xerox shop that secretly doubles as a certificate-forgery unit, taking large commissions to help people land jobs. At an educational fair, Sakthi meets Meera, a social worker played by Kalyani Priyadarshan, and he falls for her. Meera soon learns about Sakthi’s shady line of work, and the revelation forces him to confront the consequences of his choices.

Meera wants Mathi, a brilliant girl who hopes to become an aeronautical engineer, to get a rightful chance at education. Mathi is brought to life by Ivana, and she dreams big—she even devises a saltwater engine to tackle rising petrol costs and help her family and others. Meera urges Sakthi to help Mathi secure a legitimate admission without paying, to redeem himself. Sakthi’s attempt to secure a seat for Mathi meets roadblocks, and Sathyamoorthy—the bold teacher who runs a school for exceptionally bright yet underperforming students—rejects the practical application of Mathi’s engine.

Undeterred, Sakthi attaches Mathi’s engine to an auto rickshaw and demonstrates its potential at an educational fair. The dramatic display catches the eye of Mahadev’s henchmen, and Mahadev, a powerful and corrupt geneticist and industrialist, steps into the frame. The very next day, the police seize the auto and Mathi is arrested for patent violations. The court convicts her, and Mathi, overwhelmed by grief, attempts to take her own life on a moving train.

Sakthi, who is also convicted, goes on the run with Ink. To make amends and confront the system, he starts hunting for the truth behind the patent affair. He uncovers that the patent was forged by the very company controlled by Mahadev. In the midst of this, Sathyamoorthy—who dons a mask to rally the children—appears to help him. Arjun Sarja unveils the backstory: Mahadev is bent on erasing innovation, subduing brilliant minds through coercion, and even lobotomizing students to turn their breakthroughs into profits for foreign companies. He struck at Sathyamoorthy’s movement by destroying the school that would have championed logical thinking.

Moved by the scars of those past atrocities, Sakthi joins forces with Sathyamoorthy and the children to fight back, embracing the mantle of the Mask. With gadgets designed by the kids and training from Sathyamoorthy, Sakthi battles Mahadev’s minions and uncovers the full truth behind the conspiracy. In a climactic confrontation, Sathyamoorthy sacrifices himself, and Sakthi broadcasts the students’ inventions, urging society to let children follow their passions rather than confining them to rote learning.

The message hits home: parents should look through their children’s journals to understand their true interests and dreams. Sakthi’s own father hears the telecast and reevaluates his earlier harsh treatment of his son. In the final showdown, Mahadev’s plan is foiled, and Sakthi eliminates him by injecting a pathogen. Six months pass, and Sakthi—still listed as wanted—runs a school on the city’s edge with Meera. A police officer takes him on a city-wide drive, revealing the transformative impact of Mathi’s and other young prodigies’ innovations. The officer discards the old accusations and urges Sakthi to continue serving as the Mask.

The post-credits scene hints that Sathyamoorthy is alive and aiding Sakthi from the shadows, keeping the flame of invention and guardianship alive for the next generation.