Pulimurugan Full Story Explained (2017)
Imagine living in a village where tigers attack your family. That is life for Murugan. He is a simple truck driver who becomes a legendary hunter. This is the story of Pulimurugan, a 2016 Malayalam action thriller directed by Vysakh. It stars the legendary Mohanlal as Murugan, a man who protects his village from man-eating tigers. But his life gets complicated when he meets Daddy Girija, a drug lord. The film became a massive blockbuster. It was the first Malayalam film to earn over ₹100 crore. Audiences loved the thrilling action, the real tigers, and Mohanlal’s powerful performance.
A Boy's Revenge
Young Murugan watches a tiger kill his father. The pain is unbearable. He swears to take revenge. With his uncle Balaraman, he sets a trap. They catch and kill the tiger together. This moment shapes Murugan's entire life. He becomes the village's protector.
Full Plot
Murugan lives in the forest village of Puliyoor. When he was a child, a tiger killed his father. With his uncle Balaraman, young Murugan trapped and killed that tiger. Years later, Murugan is a truck driver. He is married to Myna and has a daughter named Chakki. The villagers call him Pulimurugan because he hunts and kills man-eating tigers. He is very protective of his younger brother Manikuttan, who is studying for an MBA in Mangalore.
One day, Manikuttan's friends Shiva and Benny come to the village. Shiva's father is Daddy Girija, a rich businessman. Daddy owns a pharmaceutical company. He claims he needs cannabis from the forest for cancer research. If Balaraman helps them get the cannabis, Daddy will give Manikuttan a job. Balaraman agrees. They make a deal with Ramaiya, an illegal cannabis dealer in the forest. On their way back, a tiger attacks them. Murugan kills the tiger and saves them.
Forest officials find the dead tiger. Killing a tiger is a serious crime. Forest Ranger R.K. is put in charge of the investigation. R.K. hates Murugan. Four years ago, R.K. tried to molest Myna. Murugan stopped him and threatened him. Now, R.K. wants revenge. He prepares to file a case against Murugan. Murugan is forced to hide. Meanwhile, ACP Iype Zachariah also arrives in the village.
Shiva and Benny hear that one of Ramaiya's men is in police custody. They are scared the drug deal will be exposed. They decide to transport the cannabis that night. Shiva tricks Murugan. He says the police are coming to arrest him for killing the tiger. He offers Murugan shelter with Daddy Girija in Kasaragod. Murugan, Myna, and Chakki escape in the truck carrying the cannabis. They reach Mangalore safely. Murugan delivers the drugs. Manikuttan gets his job at Daddy's company.
Murugan impresses Daddy Girija with his skills. He starts helping Daddy with his business. Back in Puliyoor, more people are killed by tigers. ACP Zachariah finds Murugan and tells him the truth. Daddy Girija is not making medicine. He is illegally producing hash oil. Manikuttan is now working in a criminal business. Manikuttan learns the truth too. He decides to help the police catch Daddy. He tries to collect evidence. Shiva catches him and tortures him.
Murugan comes to rescue Manikuttan. A big fight happens. In the fight, Murugan accidentally kills Shiva. The police try to arrest Daddy, but he escapes. Daddy Girija is the hooded stranger from the beginning. He wants revenge for his son Shiva's death. He hires a group of assassins. They attack Balaraman and Poongayi Sasi. They kidnap Balaraman and throw him into a tiger's den. Sasi is badly injured but escapes to warn Murugan.
Murugan returns home and learns what happened. He goes to the forest to save Balaraman. He fights and kills all of Daddy's assassins. Then, he enters the tiger's den. Inside, he fights Daddy Girija. Murugan defeats Daddy and saves his uncle. As they escape, the tiger attacks Daddy. Daddy is killed and eaten by the tiger. Murugan and Balaraman get out of the den safely. The hunter has survived his final hunt.
Act Breakdown
The Hunter's Village
We meet Murugan as a child. A tiger kills his father, and he takes revenge. Years later, he is a truck driver and a hunter. He lives happily with his wife Myna and daughter Chakki. His brother Manikuttan is studying in Mangalore. The village respects him as their protector.
The Trap is Set
Manikuttan's friends arrive with a plan. They need cannabis for Daddy Girija's company. In return, Manikuttan will get a job. Murugan kills a tiger and becomes a target of Forest Ranger R.K. Shiva tricks Murugan into fleeing the village with the drugs. The first half ends with Murugan escaping the police.
The Drug Lord's World
Murugan starts working for Daddy Girija. He earns his trust. ACP Zachariah reveals the truth: Daddy is a drug lord. Manikuttan learns the truth and helps the police. Shiva catches Manikuttan and tortures him. Murugan rescues his brother but accidentally kills Shiva. Daddy escapes and swears revenge.
The Tiger's Den
Daddy kidnaps Balaraman and throws him into a tiger's den. Murugan goes to the forest to save him. He fights and kills all of Daddy's assassins. He enters the den and defeats Daddy in a final fight. As they escape, the tiger kills Daddy. Murugan and Balaraman survive.
Characters
Murugan
Played by Mohanlal
Murugan is a simple truck driver from the forest village Puliyoor. He is a skilled hunter who kills man-eating tigers. He is deeply protective of his younger brother Manikuttan and loves his wife Myna and daughter Chakki. He is tricked into working for a drug lord but fights to save his family. In the end, he kills the villain and rescues his uncle.
Daddy Girija
Played by Jagapati Babu
Daddy Girija is a wealthy and ruthless drug lord. He pretends to run a pharmaceutical company but actually produces illegal hash oil. He uses Manikuttan's job offer to trick Murugan. After his son Shiva is killed, he seeks brutal revenge. He is finally killed and eaten by a tiger in the climax.
Myna
Played by Kamalini Mukherjee
Myna is Murugan's loving and supportive wife. She is a rustic village woman with no urban traits. She stands by Murugan when they have to flee their home. She is brave and does not use a stunt double for her action scenes. She represents the strong family Murugan fights to protect.
Balaraman
Played by Lal
Balaraman is Murugan's uncle who helped him kill the tiger that murdered his father. He cares deeply for Murugan and Manikuttan. He agrees to help Manikuttan's friends get cannabis, which leads to trouble. He is kidnapped and thrown into a tiger's den by Daddy. Murugan rescues him in the climax.
Manikuttan
Played by Vinu Mohan
Manikuttan is Murugan's younger brother. He is studying for an MBA in Mangalore. He is innocent and unaware of the criminal plot. He gets a job at Daddy's company but later learns the truth. He bravely helps the police catch Daddy. He is tortured by Shiva but is rescued by Murugan.
R. Krishna "R.K" Kumar
Played by Kishore
R.K. is a forest ranger with a personal grudge against Murugan. Four years ago, he tried to molest Myna, and Murugan threatened him. He uses the tiger killing case to try and arrest Murugan. He is a corrupt official who abuses his power for revenge.
Scene Highlights
Young Murugan's Revenge
A young Murugan watches his father get killed by a tiger. His eyes fill with rage. He does not cry. Instead, he plans his revenge. With his uncle Balaraman, he sets a trap. They successfully kill the tiger together. This scene establishes Murugan's character as a fearless hunter.
The Tiger Attack on the Road
Shiva and Benny are returning from the forest. A massive tiger blocks their path. They are terrified and helpless. Suddenly, Murugan appears. He fights the tiger with his bare hands and a knife. He kills the tiger and saves them. This scene shows his incredible strength and skill.
Murugan Learns the Truth
ACP Zachariah corners Murugan. He tells him the truth about Daddy Girija. Daddy is not making medicine. He is a drug lord producing hash oil. Murugan's face falls. He realizes he has been tricked. He has put his brother in danger. This is the turning point of the film.
The Final Fight in the Den
Murugan enters the dark tiger's den. Daddy Girija is waiting for him. They have a brutal, hand-to-hand fight. The tiger is also in the den, adding to the danger. Murugan defeats Daddy and saves Balaraman. As they escape, the tiger attacks and kills Daddy. It is a thrilling and satisfying climax.
Cast & Context
Pulimurugan marked the first collaboration between Malayalam superstar Mohanlal and Telugu actor Jagapati Babu. Mohanlal, known for his versatility, took on a physically demanding action role. Jagapati Babu, a well-known villain in Telugu cinema, played the ruthless Daddy Girija. Bengali actress Kamalini Mukherjee played Myna, her first role opposite Mohanlal. The film also brought together actors from different South Indian film industries, making it a pan-South Indian project.
Themes
Man vs Wild
The film shows the constant conflict between humans and nature. Tigers attack the village, and Murugan hunts them. The forest is both a source of life and danger. In the end, a tiger kills the villain, showing nature's power.
Family Loyalty
Murugan's main motivation is protecting his family. He loves his wife, daughter, and brother deeply. He is grateful to the villagers who raised him. He risks everything to save his uncle Balaraman from the tiger's den.
Deception and Trust
Murugan is an innocent man who trusts the wrong people. Shiva and Daddy trick him into transporting drugs. He believes he is helping his brother. The film shows how criminals exploit good people's trust.
Revenge and Justice
The story begins with Murugan avenging his father's death. It ends with Daddy seeking revenge for his son. But true justice comes from nature. The tiger kills Daddy, not Murugan. The hunter becomes the hunted.
Music & Soundtrack
ComposerGopi Sundar
The soundtrack has three songs. 'Kaadaniyum Kalchilambe' is a beautiful duet sung by K.J. Yesudas and K.S. Chithra. It shows the happy life of Murugan and Myna. 'Maanathe Maarikurumbe' is a soothing lullaby sung by Vani Jairam. Both songs were considered for the Academy Awards.
Similar Films
Both are epic action films with a strong, heroic lead and large-scale visual effects.
Both films feature intense man vs wild survival stories and realistic animal attacks.
Both films have a similar structure: a powerful hero from a poor background rises to fight a powerful villain.
Both films are set in a forest and involve the protagonist fighting for survival against wild animals and humans.
Ending Explained
The climax takes place inside a dark tiger's den. Daddy Girija has thrown Balaraman inside to be eaten. Murugan arrives to save his uncle. He first fights and kills all of Daddy's hired assassins. Then, he enters the den. Inside, Murugan and Daddy have a brutal fight. Daddy is strong and ruthless, but Murugan is more skilled. Murugan defeats Daddy and helps Balaraman escape. As they climb out of the den, the tiger attacks Daddy. Daddy is killed and eaten by the tiger he used as a weapon. The film ends with Murugan and Balaraman walking away from the den. The message is clear: nature punishes those who abuse it. Murugan, the hunter, survives by respecting the wild. The villain is destroyed by his own evil plans.
Pulimurugan is a must-watch for fans of Mohanlal and action cinema. The film's biggest strength is its thrilling action sequences. The use of a real tiger makes the fights feel authentic and exciting. Mohanlal delivers a powerful performance as the silent, strong hunter. However, the story is simple and predictable. The pacing can be slow in the middle. Some critics found the film too loud and crude. But if you want a pure, mass entertainer with high-octane action, this film delivers. It is a landmark film in Malayalam cinema history.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, Pulimurugan is not based on a true story. The writer Udayakrishna created the story from tales he heard about forest villages. The film is a fictional action thriller about a man who hunts tigers.
Yes, over 80 percent of the tiger scenes were filmed with a real tiger. The crew used four tigers from the Tiger Temple in Thailand. They spent 35 days filming the tiger episodes. Some graphics were also used for safety.
Pulimurugan means 'Tiger Murugan' in Malayalam. 'Puli' means tiger, and Murugan is the hero's name. The villagers call him this because he is a skilled hunter who kills man-eating tigers.
Yes, if you enjoy high-energy action films with a strong hero. Mohanlal's performance is powerful, and the stunts are thrilling. The real tiger scenes are impressive. However, the story is simple and the pacing can feel slow in parts.
The music and background score were composed by Gopi Sundar. The soundtrack has three songs. Two songs, 'Kaadaniyum Kalchilambe' and 'Maanathe Maarikurumbe', were even considered for the Academy Awards.