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Dasavatharam

A prologue, set in the 12th century, where Rangarajan Nambi, a devout Vaishnavite, resists King Kulothunga II's efforts to desecrate a Vishnu idol. Nambi is executed by drowning, along with the idol, setting a thematic backdrop for the story.

In 2004, Govindarajan Ramaswamy, an Indian scientist in the U.S., is working on a bio-weapon—a synthetic virus. When a lab monkey dies after ingesting the virus, Govind realizes the threat it poses. After discovering that his superior, Dr. Sethu, plans to sell the virus to terrorists, Govind flees with the vial. During a scuffle, the vial is mistakenly shipped to India. Christian Fletcher, a mercenary ex- CIA agent hired to retrieve the vial, kills several people in pursuit, including Govind's friend Suresh and his wife Yuka. Govind follows the package to Chidambaram, where it ends up with an elderly woman, Krishnaveni, who unknowingly hides it inside a Vishnu idol. Govind's attempts to retrieve it are complicated by Fletcher's pursuit, the local police, and Krishnaveni's devout granddaughter, Andal, who believes he is trying to steal the idol.

Multiple subplots unfold: Fletcher's translator-wife and partner-in-crime, Jasmine, is killed during a skirmish involving a rogue elephant; Yukha's brother Shingen, a Japanese martial artist arrives to avenge Yuka's death; and Telugu police officer Balram Naidu investigates Govind's activities. Along the way, Govind and Andal encounter various characters, including social activist Vincent Poovaraghan and a Muslim family headed by the towering Khalifulla. The vial is accidentally switched with a medicine cooler belonging to singer Avatar Singh, who is being treated for throat cancer. Eventually, Fletcher takes hostages, demanding the virus in exchange. After a series of chases and confrontations—including one at Avatar's concert—the vial ends up back in the idol.

Govind attempts to neutralize the virus by immersing it in the ocean after finding out that sodium chloride weakens it. A fight breaks out at a construction site between Govind and Fletcher, with Shingen intervening. Fletcher swallows the virus but dies as a massive tsunami hits the coast. The natural disaster wipes out the threat, killing Fletcher and causing widespread destruction. Govind, Andal, and others survive. Andal believes the tsunami was divine intervention, but Govind maintains a rationalist view, questioning the morality of such devastation as a means of salvation. They then profess their love for each other. Govind is honored for his efforts with an event, attended by world leaders, and a final glimpse of Nambi's idolized remains washed ashore.