Synopsis

Diesel

In 1979, a 17 kilometres (11 mi) pipeline was installed to transport crude oil, crossing 40 villages and connecting Chennai Harbour and Ennore, with the OPC crude oil storage unit. The natives resisted, fearing it would harm their livelihoods and held protests, but the government used its authority by killing two organizers, effectively ending the protests. Manoharan, one of the organizers, secretly tapped the pipeline and began illicitly smuggling crude oil, using the money to benefit the community without revealing his identity. In 2012, Manoharan's adopted son, Vasudevan "Diesel Vasu", a chemical engineer, expanded the illicit trade by transporting it to Pathaan's Mumbai refinery, with bribed government officials turning a blind eye. The refined petrol and diesel were then mixed with the legal supply and distributed in Chennai. Vasu further expanded the operation by disguising white petrol as ice cubes to evade police detection and channelled the money for welfare activities through his friend, Sedrayan "Jettu". DCP Mayavel, a ruthless officer, takes bribes from Manoharan but often clashes with Vasu. Balamurugan, with Mayavel's backing, starts stealing from lorries by bribing drivers, adulterating fuel with coloured water. The adulterated petrol damages vehicle engines, prompting police to investigate the supplying pumps. Vasu discovers Balamurugan's involvement and warns lorry owners.

Release: 17 Oct 2025
Run time: 144 min
Language: Tamil