Rathnam” (transl. Gem) is a 2025 Tamil film directed by Hari. Vishal headlines the movie as Rathnam, Priya Bhavani Shankara as Malliga, Samuthirakani as Panner Selvam, Yogi Babu as Moorthy, and more. “Rathnam” tells the story of the protagonist of the same name who gets caught in the middle of a bitter conflict between Malliga and a powerful gangster. Unbeknownst to him, everything is tied to his own past.
Rathnam (Gem, 2025) Plot Summary & Movie Synopsis:
Who is Rathnam?
As mentioned earlier, the film’s protagonist is a man named Rathnam, a hired gun and enforcer for a local politician. The politician often takes advantage of Rathnam’s talent—or rather, his inclination—for violence to serve his own interests. Whether it’s breaking up peaceful protests, intimidating opposition party members, or worse, Rathnam has been involved in it all. Rathnam met Panner about a decade ago during a gang brawl. Rathnam saved Panner’s life by stabbing an attacker who was about to kill him. This landed Rathnam in prison for several years and after his release, he started working for Panner. Over time, Panner reformed and began working, at least partially, for the betterment of the people. However, traces of his old ways and character are still visible at times.
How Do Corruption and Crime Shape the Small Town?
The film is set in the small village of Vellore, where corruption is rampant, and justice is nowhere to be found, no matter how hard the law tries. At the beginning of the story, a group of goons pushes a bus full of passengers off a cliff to loot their money and belongings. When the police begin investigating, they are also killed by the criminals. Not long after, a severed limb is discovered near the border. Around the same time, Babu Reddy, a corrupt and power-drunk politician, attempts to kill a young girl. When Panner hears about these events, he asks Rathnam to take action. Rathnam decapitates Babu Reddy’s limb and puts it near the mile marker for everyone to see.
In the same state, the Rayudu brothers are the very image of corruption in Kerala. They started small, forging fake IDs, but soon expanded their operations to illegally seizing land worth millions. They have a knack for manipulation and often give a hefty cut of their illegal earnings to a powerful minister to make sure that the law turns a blind eye to what they do. The Rayudu brothers have the power to claim any land they want, halt construction projects, or force builders to sell their properties at throwaway prices. No matter the crime—be it kidnapping, murder, or extortion, the law cannot touch them. Anyone who goes against them or lodges a police report either disappears or is killed.
Who is Malliga and Why Does Rathnam Care About Her?
Malliga is a talented young nurse with dreams of becoming a doctor. Despite her best efforts, she has taken the NEET exam three times but couldn’t secure a seat in a government college due to limited spots. She also can’t afford the fees for a management quota seat. Not one to give up, she spent those three years working as a nurse to gain experience and even saved the life of a passenger while traveling to Vellore for her upcoming medical exam.
On the day of the exam, Malliga is attacked by a group of men armed with knives. Luckily, Rathnam happens to be nearby and intervenes, saving her and leaving the attackers badly beaten. Though Rathnam doesn’t understand why they targeted Malliga, she suspects it might be connected to a land dispute involving her father. It seems likely that the attackers were sent by the Rayudu brothers. They were trying to seize Malliga’s family property by threatening her.
Fearing the goons might return, Rathnam becomes Malliga’s bodyguard, staying by her side wherever she goes. The real reason why Rathnam cares this much for Malliga is because she is the spitting image of his mother, who sacrificed everything to raise him. Rathnam’s mother lived a harsh life but was falsely accused of sex work and arrested. Unable to bear the humiliation, she took her own life. The woman Rathnam attacked at the start of the film was the very one responsible for trying to force his mother into selling her body, leading to her death.
Why are the Rayudus Trying to Kill Malliga?
After being attacked a second time, Malliga reveals that she is from a place called Valarpuram near Thiruttani. Her father, after facing losses in his business, started selling pickles from home. They own 5.5 acres of land in Nagari, near the Andhra border. However, when Tirupati was separated from Tamil Nadu, their land became part of Andhra Pradesh.
Their ancestors were even buried on that land, but the next time they visited, they were shocked to find a tall medical college building standing on it, owned by the Rayudu brothers. When Malliga tried to file a complaint with the police, Rayudu and his men stormed into their home, and threatened them. Malliga and her family somehow managed to get a stay order from the court but it didn’t stop Rayudu.
After hearing everything, Rathnam suggests that they shouldn’t lose their peace, let alone risk their lives, over a piece of land. He advises Malliga to call the Rayudu brothers and tell them she’s willing to sell the land. However, Rathnam soon changes his mind and swears to protect Malliga, her family, and their land from the Ryadu brothers, no matter what. Rathnam gives Rayudu ten days to vacate the property or else he’ll wreak havoc.
What Happens to Malliga’s Ancestral Land?
Rayudu pulls every string he can, calling on the cops he has in his pocket and ordering them to arrest Rathnam by hook or by crook. If that doesn’t work, he tells them to send dozens, even hundreds of men, if needed, to eliminate Rathnam. Rayudu even considers striking a deal with Panner, assuming he’s just another profit-driven politician who would side with him but Panner turns him down. Rayudu then tries to bribe Rathnam and offers him millions to step aside and not cause trouble, but that, too, goes nowhere. When all else fails, Rayudu uses his connections to get Rathnam arrested, planning to have him killed as soon as they cross the border. However, once again, Panner saves the day.
Tired of always being on the run and terrified of losing Rathnam, Malliga decides to give up the land. She fears not just for him but also for the future of over 200 students who will lose their seats if the college doesn’t open. So, she decides to gift the land to the government. As for the remaining 30 acres of land, the government orders Rayudu to hand it over. The problem, however, is that the brothers have illegally annexed the land by pretending to be someone else.
Rathnam (Gem, 2025) Movie Ending Explained:
How is Rathnam Related to the Rayudu Brothers?
Rathnam is summoned by the head priest of the temple, who suggests that he kill Bhima Rayudu and even offers ₹18 lakhs as payment. But why would the temple priests put a bounty on Bhima Rayudu’s head? It all stems from a 30-year-old grudge. In truth, Rathnam’s father was killed by the Rayudu brothers after discovering that they were behind a bus robbery.
This also reveals that Loganayagi was actually Bhima’s sister. Fearing that the Iyer family might expose their real identities, the brothers sent their men to eliminate them. Eventually, an arrest warrant is issued against Bhima and his brother. Panner tries to convince Rathnam to take his revenge later, but Rathnam refuses to listen. He tracks down the Rayudu brothers and kills them. Afterward, Rathnam surrenders himself to the authorities to make sure Panner doesn’t face any trouble with the law.
![One Cut Two Cut [2022] ‘Prime Video’ Review – Danish Sait Led Hostage Comedy Has A Potent Message About Infrastructure In Schools](https://www.highonfilms.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/One-Cut-Two-Cut-2022-Amazon-Prime-768x432.jpeg)