Skip to content
What's After the Movie?
Plot summary

Sonna Puriyathu (2013) Plot Summary & Timeline

Sonna Puriyathu (2013) movie poster

Sonna Puriyathu is a 2013 comedy film directed by Krishnan Jayaraj. This page retells the whole story in 462 words (about 2 minutes to read) and covers 12 key events in order, 5 characters, where and when it is set and 4 themes. Looking for the cast, ratings and where to stream it? See the movie page for Sonna Puriyathu.

to read the plot summary
2 min
key events in the timeline
12
characters profiled
5
themes explained
4
Loading streaming availability…
Sonna Puriyathu (2013) movie poster
Released
Director
Krishnan Jayaraj
Genre
Comedy
Original language
Tamil
No spoilers

What Is Sonna Puriyathu About?

The premise of Sonna Puriyathu in 285 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.

In the bustling streets of Chennai, a world where voices travel farther than faces, Shiva spends his days lending his voice to characters that never appear on screen. A skilled dubbing artist with a laid‑back attitude, he is content to keep his personal life as quiet as the empty recording booth he occupies. Comfortably settled into a routine that sidesteps emotional entanglements, he harbors a simple, single ambition: to own a sleek Volkswagen that symbolizes his personal freedom. Yet the steady rhythm of his life is soon nudged by the expectations of his family, especially his mother, whose well‑meaning pressure threatens to pull him out of his self‑crafted safe zone.

Enter Anjali, a bright and devout press reporter whose confidence and sense of purpose contrast sharply with Shiva’s carefree indifference. When her mother arranges a meeting between the two, it becomes a catalyst for a series of light‑hearted schemes. Shiva—already wary of the idea of marriage—finds himself plotting ways to keep the encounter from turning into a traditional engagement, while Anjali brings her own brand of optimism and sincerity to the table. Their differing outlooks set the stage for a playful clash of personalities that feels both relatable and endearing.

The film’s tone balances witty banter with a warm, slice‑of‑life sensibility, allowing comedy to arise naturally from the protagonists’ attempts to dodge and maneuver around expectations. The city itself acts as a vibrant backdrop, its noisy markets and quiet cafés echoing the characters’ internal dialogues. As Shiva navigates his mother’s matchmaking attempts and Anjali offers a fresh perspective on commitment, the audience is invited to wonder how two seemingly opposite worlds might find common ground—if only they can survive the inevitable missteps along the way.

Full plot

What Happens in Sonna Puriyathu?

The complete story of Sonna Puriyathu, from the first scene to the last, in 462 words (about 2 minutes). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 5 cast member pages.

Spoilers ahead

Shiva is a dubbing artist who isn’t happy with love and marriages. His dream is to buy a Volkswagen car for himself. But his mother, Meera Krishnan, forces him by blackmailing him to marry, and he finally accepts without satisfaction. The girl is Vasundhara Kashyap as Anjali, a devotional girl and a press reporter. When the marriage of one of Shiva’s friends takes place, both Anjali and Shiva are invited. Anjali is invited because the friend was forced by Shiva in order to stop their marriage. But in that marriage, Shiva learns that Anjali is the exact opposite of what he thought she was, and that Anjali herself wanted to stop their marriage. They break up, and they manage to get their parents to accept—Shiva even tells Anjali’s father that he became impotent during a cricket match, and Anjali fabricates a pregnancy plot to seal the ruse.

A cameo appearance by Sam Anderson appears as the couple navigates these tangled feelings. Shiva and Anjali secretly celebrate their cancelled marriage in a pub, but the next day they wake up in a hotel room together. They initially suspect that Shiva’s friend Gowri arranged it, yet CCTV footage reveals that the mastermind behind the night’s events is Pradeep K Vijayan as the broker Rajesh Khanna, who had been helping Shiva’s mother. The truth comes out as the two investigate, drop Anjali at her home, and face pressure from her father to marry a coworker.

Weeks pass and Rajesh Khanna returns with news of a game show designed to raise prize money that could finally help Shiva reach his dream. The couple enter the game and win every round. During the competition, Anjali begins to fall in love with Shiva, but she is hurt when she discovers that his participation was driven by the Volkswagen prize rather than genuine feelings. She breaks off the budding relationship, and friends urge Shiva to see the deeper truth of her feelings.

Driven by his friends, Shiva realizes that Anjali’s love is real. He hatches a plan to win her back by staging a marriage-for-show scenario with a stand-in bride, hoping to coax her into consenting to marry him. Rajesh Khanna learns of the deception and abducts Shiva, but releases him when Shiva claims Anjali is about to marry someone else. When Shiva arrives at the registry office, he witnesses Anjali’s wedding in progress, which leaves him heartbroken.

In a surprising turn, Shiva later finds the situation reversed: Anjali orchestrates a flash-mob surprise in a park to win him back, revealing that her earlier resistance was part of a larger plan to test his commitment and to create a memorable moment between them. The couple ultimately reconcile, and they marry, choosing to face life together and begin their happily-ever-after.

Timeline

Sonna Puriyathu Timeline: Every Key Event in Order

12 key events in the order they happen, from “Shiva is pressured to marry” to “Anjali's park flash-mob and reconciliation”. 12 events name a place, across 11 locations.

  1. 1

    Shiva is pressured to marry

    Shiva, a dubbing artist, dreams of buying a Volkswagen but his mother Meera Krishnan manipulates him into marriage. He reluctantly agrees to marry to placate her and secure his future. The seed of conflict is planted as his personal wish clashes with family pressure.

    When:Early in the story Where:Home

  2. 2

    Anjali enters as the bride-to-be

    Anjali, a devotional press reporter, is introduced as the prospective bride. She attends a friend's wedding where the invitation is used to test the couple and keep their arranged union intact. Both start out with the idea that the marriage might be more of a mechanism than a choice.

    When:Soon after the engagement Where:Friend's wedding venue

  3. 3

    The wedding reveals Anjali's true motive; they break up

    At the wedding, it becomes clear Anjali wanted to stop the marriage as well. Shiva and Anjali realize their expectations clash and decide to break up. Their separation shakes the families and sets a path for deception to win acceptance.

    When:During the wedding Where:Wedding venue

  4. 4

    The ruse to win parental acceptance

    To coax their parents into accepting the match, Shiva lies that he became impotent during a cricket match, while Anjali fabricates a pregnancy plot. The deception is meant to smooth over the cracked relationship and secure consent from both families. The couple's plan is ethically questionable but serves as a turning point.

    When:Soon after the breakup Where:Family homes

  5. 5

    Cameo moment and growing feelings

    A cameo by Sam Anderson appears as the couple navigates these tangled feelings. The encounter provides a light interlude while the couple contends with confusion and fake pretenses. It hints at deeper emotions beneath the mock marriages.

    When:Early after the ruse Where:Various locations

  6. 6

    Secret celebration in a pub; wake-up in a hotel

    Shiva and Anjali secretly celebrate their cancelled marriage in a pub, enjoying a rare moment of closeness. The next morning they wake up in a hotel room and initially suspect a friend arranged the incident. CCTV later reveals the mastermind behind the night’s events.

    When:Next day after the pub celebration Where:Pub, hotel room

  7. 7

    Investigation begins and parental pressure resurfaces

    The couple investigates the night’s odd events and eventually drop Anjali at her home. They face pressure from Anjali’s father to marry a coworker, complicating their reconciliation. The truth inches closer as they unravel the conspiracy.

    When:Weeks after hotel night Where:Anjali's home

  8. 8

    Rajesh Khanna returns with a game show

    Rajesh Khanna returns as a broker orchestrating the scam, offering a game show to raise prize money that could help Shiva reach the Volkswagen dream. Shiva and Anjali enter the game and win every round. The stakes grow as genuine feelings begin to emerge amid the competition.

    When:Weeks later Where:Game show studio

  9. 9

    Love blooms but is tested during the game show

    During the competition, Anjali starts to fall in love with Shiva. She becomes hurt when she discovers his participation is motivated by the prize rather than real feelings. She breaks off the budding relationship, leaving Shiva to question his priorities.

    When:Mid-show Where:Game show studio

  10. 10

    Friends push Shiva to understand Anjali's love

    Shiva's friends urge him to see the deeper truth of Anjali's feelings. He begins to realize her love is real and not just a strategic maneuver. A plan to win her back starts to form.

    When:After the break Where:Various

  11. 11

    Shiva's marriage-for-show plan and abduction

    To prove commitment, Shiva hatches a plan to stage a fake marriage with a stand-in bride. Rajesh Khanna abducts Shiva to derail the plan but releases him when Shiva claims Anjali is about to marry someone else. The tension mounts as the clock ticks toward a real decision.

    When:Before the registry attempt Where:Around registry office

  12. 12

    Anjali's park flash-mob and reconciliation

    In a dramatic turn, Anjali orchestrates a park flash-mob to win Shiva back. She reveals that her earlier resistance was a test of his commitment and to create a memorable moment. They reconcile and decide to marry, choosing to face life together.

    When:Finale Where:Park

Characters

Who Are the Main Characters in Sonna Puriyathu?

5 characters, among them Shiva (Shiva), Anjali (Vasundhara Kashyap) and Rajesh Khanna (Pradeep K Vijayan): who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.

  • S(

    Shiva (Shiva)

    Played by Shiva

    Shiva is a dubbing artist who isn’t happy with love and marriages. He dreams of owning a Volkswagen and resists traditional pressure to marry, until his mother’s insistence forces him into a union. Through a mix of bold moves and genuine emotional growth, he learns that true commitment requires more than a clever plan. By the end, he chooses love over convenience and fights to keep it real.

    • 🎯 Protagonist
    • 🧭 Reluctant romantic
    • 🗣️ Quick-witted
  • A(

    Anjali (Vasundhara Kashyap)

    Played by Vasundhara Kashyap

    Anjali is a devotional girl and a press reporter who initially seems set on stopping the marriage Shiva is forced into. She uses wit and strategy to test Shiva’s commitment, revealing a guarded but passionate side. Over time she falls in love, and orchestrates a memorable moment to prove her feelings, choosing to pursue a future with him.

    • 🧭 Strong-willed
    • 💬 Media persona
    • 💖 Love interest
  • RK

    Rajesh Khanna (Pradeep K Vijayan)

    Played by Pradeep K Vijayan

    Rajesh Khanna is the sly broker who manipulates events behind the scenes. He orchestrates the night that complicates Shiva and Anjali’s plans and uses a game show as a tool to influence outcomes. His actions push the couple toward deeper confrontations about trust and intent.

    • 🕵️ Antagonist
    • 💼 Manipulator
    • 🎭 Plot driver
  • SM

    Shiva’s mother (Meera Krishnan)

    Played by Meera Krishnan

    Shiva’s mother is protective and controlling, using pressure and schemes to push her son toward marriage. Her actions set the initial conflict in motion and highlight the pull between familial duty and personal happiness. She is a catalyst for the central dilemma the couple must resolve.

    • 👩 Matriarch
    • 🧷 Family influence
    • 💡 Catalyst
  • CA

    Cameo appearance (Sam Anderson)

    Played by Sam Anderson

    Sam Anderson appears in a brief cameo that punctuates a key moment as the couple navigates their tangled feelings. The appearance adds a touch of humor and international flavor to the unfolding drama.

    • ✨ Cameo
    • 🗺️ Brief encounter
Setting

Where and When Is Sonna Puriyathu Set?

Sonna Puriyathu is set in Pub, Hotel, Registry Office and Park (Present day). Here is why the time and place matter to the story.

When

Present day

Set in contemporary India, the film reflects current dating dynamics, family pressures, and media influence. It features modern conveniences like a televised game show and surveillance elements that drive the plot. The pace and setting mirror a city’s fast-paced life where personal dreams compete with social expectations.

Where

Pub, Hotel, Registry Office, Park

The story moves through urban Indian locations, from casual pubs to a formal registry office, highlighting a modern romance set against city life. pivotal scenes unfold in a hotel room and a public park, illustrating how private feelings collide with public moments. The mix of home interiors and public spaces shows how tradition and contemporary culture intersect in everyday life.

  • 🏙️ Urban setting
  • 💑 Modern romance
  • 🎭 Social expectations
Themes

What Are the Themes of Sonna Puriyathu?

4 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Love & Deception, Commitment and Truth & Perception.

  1. 01

    Love & Deception

    Deception and misread intentions drive the early romance between Shiva and Anjali. Both wary of traditional marriage norms, they test each other through schemes and misunderstandings. The story shows how trust ultimately grows when honesty replaces tricks, leading to genuine connection.

  2. 02

    Commitment

    Marriage is presented as a serious commitment tested by actions rather than words. Family pressure, social norms, and personal growth push the couple to decide what they truly want. The journey culminates in a choice to stand by each other despite obstacles.

  3. 03

    Truth & Perception

    The plot uses manipulation and CCTV reveals to challenge what characters think they know. Hidden motives and orchestrated events force the protagonists to re-evaluate their feelings. Truth emerges through persistence and open communication rather than clever ploys.

  4. 04

    Dreams vs Reality

    Shiva’s Volkswagen dream personifies personal aspiration, yet love proves more important than material goals. The pursuit of a dream both drives and complicates the relationship, teaching that shared future goals matter more than individual fantasies.

Tone & mood

What Kind of Film Is Sonna Puriyathu?

Light in tone, with steady pacing and a straightforward story, going by the plot summary.

Tone
Light
Pacing
Steady
Story
Straightforward
Intensity
Medium
Ending
Happy

A lighthearted romantic comedy that follows a commitment-phobic man and a clever woman as they navigate humorous deceptions and family expectations, culminating in a charming and playful reconciliation.

  • romantic
  • whimsical
  • mischievous
  • lighthearted
  • playful
  • feel-good
  • commitment phobia
  • pretend relationship
  • deception for love
  • coming of age romance

Quiz

How well do you remember Sonna Puriyathu? Test yourself on the story.

Take the quiz
Loading streaming availability…

Missing a Movie Plot Summary?

Tell us which film you want explained next: the full story, the timeline, the characters and the ending.

Request a summary
FAQ

Sonna Puriyathu Plot Questions

5 quick answers about Sonna Puriyathu, taken from the plot summary, character guide and setting on this page and the film’s credits.

What is Sonna Puriyathu about?

In the bustling streets of Chennai, a world where voices travel farther than faces, Shiva spends his days lending his voice to characters that never appear on screen.

Read the full plot summary

When and where does Sonna Puriyathu take place?

Sonna Puriyathu is set in Pub, Hotel, Registry Office and Park (Present day). Set in contemporary India, the film reflects current dating dynamics, family pressures, and media influence. It features modern conveniences like a televised game show and surveillance elements that drive the plot.

The setting explained

Who are the main characters in Sonna Puriyathu?

The story follows Shiva (Shiva) (played by Shiva), Anjali (Vasundhara Kashyap) (played by Vasundhara Kashyap), Rajesh Khanna (Pradeep K Vijayan) (played by Pradeep K Vijayan) and Shiva’s mother (Meera Krishnan) (played by Meera Krishnan); the character guide covers 5 characters in all.

All the characters

What are the main themes of Sonna Puriyathu?

The summary picks out 4 themes: Love & Deception, Commitment, Truth & Perception and Dreams vs Reality.

The themes explained

Who directed Sonna Puriyathu?

Sonna Puriyathu (2013) was directed by Krishnan Jayaraj.

Krishnan Jayaraj’s films

Coming soon to your phone

The Plot Explained Movie Summary App

From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.

Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app