‘Sandiyar’: Kamal Haasan reclaims his controversial title for his next

‘Sandiyar’, starring Kamal Haasan, will be directed by SU Arun Kumar, while the movie will have music from Anirudh Ravichander

Published - November 06, 2026 07:33 pm IST

Kamal Haasan’s ‘Sandiyar’ will be produced by the actor’s banner, Raaj Kamal Films International. | Photo Credit: RKFI/X

Kamal Haasan’s next film has been titled Sandiyar. The Tamil movie will be directed by SU Arun Kumar of Chithha (2023)and Veera Dheera Sooran (2025) fame.

With this project, Kamal Haasan has reclaimed his controversial movie title. In 2003, the actor-director’s movie was titled Sandiyar. However, Puthiya Tamilagam Party founder K. Krishnaswamy objected to the title, stating the word valorised dominant upper-caste groups and would revive the aruval (sickle) culture.

The film’s shooting was halted. Initially, the actor tried to meet the then Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa, hoping to sort out the issue. However, she did not grant him an audience immediately. Jayalalithaa told journalists that “protracted” police protection cannot be given to a film unit that, according to her, “deliberately chooses a controversial subject.” Eventually, Kamal Haasan dropped the title and renamed his movie Virumandi.

ALSO READ: Kamal Haasan on ‘Indian 2’, ‘Manjummel Boys’ and ‘Thug Life’: ‘I’m a limelight moth’

Meanwhile, the makers announced the title of the upcoming movie with a poster, in which Kamal Haasan is seen in an intense, rugged avatar. The actor is seen standing next to an old vehicle that has blood marks. Kamal Haasan’s salt-and-pepper beard adds to the actor’s stylistic picture.

SANDIYAR சண்டியர் 🔥 #KamalHaasan #SUArunkumar #Sandiyar #சண்டியர் #SandiyarSambavam #HappyBirthdayKamalHaasan #HBDKamalHaasan #CelebratingKamalHaasan @ikamalhaasan #Mahendran @anirudhofficial @anbariv #SunilKS @amritharam2 #CSBalachandar @AKunjamma @RohanShrestha @RKFI @turmericmediaTM @magizhmandram @APIfilms @homescreenent— Raaj Kamal Films International (@RKFI) November 6, 2026

For Sandiyar, Anirudh Ravichander will compose the music. Anbariv masters have been roped in as the stunt directors. Kamal Haasan’s Raaj Kamal Films International will produce the movie.

Kamal Haasan was last seen in Thug Life, directed by Mani Ratnam. With the Nayakan combination back after several years, there were massive expectations for the project. However, the gangster drama failed at the box office, with fans and critics being disappointed with the movie.

Published - November 06, 2026 07:33 pm IST

Tamil cinema / Indian cinema / entertainment (general)

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