One usually sees a man who lives by the sword, die by the sword, but this film shows the man die at the hands of his girlfriend.

Abandoned by the father, his mother passing away because he could not save her, the hero Jeevan finds himself lonely with a bleak future ahead of him. He wants to educate himself and rise up in life, but this ambition is exploited by the selfish Commissioner Sampathraj.

In course of time, the rowdy Jeevan falls in love with Priya Mani. She wants to enter the police force, so he seeks the help of the Commissioner. As return favor, the Commissioner demands Priya Mani's chastity. That makes Jeevan see red. Till now, he had been carefully following the Commissioner's orders but he's now ready to even go for the Commissioner's life.

To get back at Jeevan who is now opposing him, Sampathraj manages to put Priya Mani's family itself in jail. Only now does Priya realise that Jeevan is a rowdy. Police chase on one side, Priya Mani's misunderstanding on the other haunt Jeevan and the climax then hits you like a bullet.

Jeevan portrays a rowdy character but with poise, without brandishing weapons in every other scene that he appears in. His pangs when parting ways with his friend, wishing his girlfriend all the best in life even when during his dying moments, are places where Jeevan's acting scores.

In her daringly brief costumes, Priya Mani raises the summer heat. She displays natural acting when she cringes in shame that her family has been behind bars in the police lockup.

The characters of Vishnupriyan as Jeevan's friend and Sharanraj as special police officer, add to the film's points.  Though Mayilsamy appears only now and then, his comedy is enjoyable.

Despite romantic dialogues alternating like pollen and sulphur,  J Ramesh shows his signature here and there.

Music by Srikant Deva is a pleasant surprise, as songs like 'Mugam poo..." and "Vaynum vaynum..." are rather melodious.

If you can overlook the first 20 minutes of drag, 'Thotta' speeds on after that.