Sathyamurthy(Kamalhassan) is an educated but unemployed youngster, dividing his time between hanging around with his friends and being verbally abused by his stepmother. A clash with a local rowdy brings Sathya to the attention of Dhandapani(Kitty), a rich philanthropist. So Sathya becomes his right-hand man, carrying out his orders while Dhandapani uses Sathya as his weapon in the political war he is carrying on with Mariappan(Rajesh), the local MLA.

Sathya is basically the story of one man who wants to make a difference and ends up becoming a henchman to a political leader who has his own agenda. The movie is an effective commentary on the sorry state of such unemployed youngsters and the resulting unwilling choices they have to make to earn money. It clearly shows us how the youth, in their time of need, become willing toys in the hands of the people with the money to hire them. As Sathya and his friends are treated as dispensable, 'use and throw' articles by the people in power, we understand their problems and empathise with them.

In keeping with the grimness of the topic being dealt with, the movie pulls no punches in its depiction of violence during the action scenes. The fights sequences are bloody and realistic with some of the action, like the chase in the rain amidst the sea of umbrellas, being choreographed very well. Some 'masala' forces its way in when a bandaged, bedridden Kamalhassan takes off and fights the enemies but the sequence itself is not too unbelievable and the director desists from showing Kamal as a superhuman. Kamalhassan once again showcases his liking for being tortured in his movies(here he is shot at, beaten senseless and thrown into a wire fence). The scene where Kitty moralises on stage while Kamal is beaten by the goons is well-taken.

The romance between Kamalhassan and Amala is a welcome, light diversion from the seriousness permeating the rest of the movie. The unsuccessful attempts by both of them to hide their real state of affairs are funny and a little touching at the same time. The friends have some fun at their expense at the coffee shop (the way they have ordered their tea is a telling comment on their financial situations) and the resulting short segment with Amala thinking about them in divine roles is very funny. Kamalhassan uses his multilingual expertise to converse fluently in Malayalam and stump a Malayali lady in another cute scene.

Kamalhassan, in a markedly different appearance with close-cropped hair, a thick moustache and beard, quietly brings Sathya to life. There are no loud scenes and instead, the disappointments and difficulties are mirrored on his face in most scenes. A pretty Amala romances enthusiastically. Kitty, in his first role, portrays a politician with a few cards up his sleeve. He is believable as the do-gooder and SPB's smooth voice provides the necessary support. Rajesh evokes some subtle laughs as the politician forced to eat humble pie.

Suresh Krishna avoids introducing songs at unnecessary places and as a result, the soundtrack includes just three songs. Valaiyosai... is easily the pick of the three. The song features some of the best choreography I've seen in a non-dance sequence with the everyday movements of Kamal and Amala(for instance swaying in the bus or being tickled by a bug) moving perfectly in sync with the music. The other two songs are average. Varudhu Varudhu... is unnecessarily vulgar while the director cleverly and unexpectedly smooths into Poattaa Padiyudhu... after a fight sequence.