Moondru Mugam 1982

Arun, the son of a wealthy businessman Ramanathan, returns to India after spending ten years in the United States—only to reveal that he has become a saint. Shocked by this transformation, Ramanathan hires Rekha, a press reporter, to help return him to his former self. Rekha first arranges an interview, which Arun deliberately disrupts. Undeterred, she crafts a second plan under the pretense of taking him to a temple. On the way, Rekha fakes a car breakdown. As Arun wanders around, he encounters a crying child and offers a chocolate. Suddenly, he is swarmed by other children and villagers, who accuse him of being a child-kidnapper. Taking advantage of the chaos, Rekha cuts off Arun’s beard — a symbol of his piety. After orchestrating a few more incidents, Arun renounces his sainthood.

Returning to work, Arun grows curious about why his father has been sending money to a woman named Sagaya Mary for over twenty years. Meanwhile, Sagaya Mary learns that someone has proposed to her nephew, John. When questioned about John’s parentage, she recounts the story of her brother, Alex Pandian – Rajinikanth – the fearless police officer. A flashback reveals Alex’s past: he frequently clashes with local mob boss Egambaram. Their conflict escalates, and Egambaram ultimately stabs Alex fatally. With his dying breath, Alex vows to return and avenge his death. His wife dies soon after giving birth to twins. At the same hospital, Ramanathan’s wife loses her child. Sagaya Mary entrusts one of Alex’s sons to Ramanathan, who raises him as Arun, while she raises the other twin, John.

On his 25th birthday, Arun experiences a divine epiphany, and claims he is the reincarnation of Alex. He agrees to meet a woman named Asha at a hotel, but it turns out to be a trap. In the ensuing struggle, he kills his attacker and is arrested. During the court hearing, a man claiming to be Alex Pandian appears, saying he had been in Sri Lanka all along. This “Alex” is, in fact, John – unknowingly working with Egambaram, the man who murdered their father.

Later, Arun confesses to the police that he fabricated the reincarnation story to lure the killers out. John eventually learns the truth about Alex Pandian and his brother Arun. Determined to save him, John confronts Egambaram but is mortally wounded. In his final act, John kills Egambaram and disposes of his body in the sea – the same way their father was murdered.

The film concludes with Arun and Rekha, now married, paying respects at John’s grave.