The recent announcement of the Tamil Nadu government film awards for the years 2016 to 2022 has triggered widespread debate, with particular focus on the 2020 Best Film awardee Sandakkari, which has reportedly not been released theatrically.
The film, starring Vimal and Shreya, suddenly went viral on social media after it emerged that it had won three awards – Best Film (2020), Best Art Direction, and Best Background Singer. Many filmgoers expressed surprise, saying they were unaware the film had ever been released, prompting online searches and scrutiny.
Sandakkari was directed by R Madhesh, known for films such as Vijay’s Madurey, Prashant’s Chocolate, Arasangam, and Trisha’s Mohini. The cast also includes Satyan, Prabhu, and KR Vijaya. Although the trailer was released in 2020 and a theatrical release was planned, the film did not reach cinemas.
Social media users have questioned how an unreleased film could win multiple state awards, with some speculating that it may have been screened exclusively for the jury. The controversy intensified after online discussions claimed that director R. Madhesh was part of the award selection committee, raising allegations of conflict of interest.
Further criticism has centred on reports that Sandakkari is a remake of the Malayalam film My Boss, directed by Jeethu Joseph, leading to questions over how a remake could be selected as Best Film.
The awards list has also drawn criticism in other categories. For the 2022 film Taanakkaran, Bose Venkat won Best Supporting Actor, while several commentators argued that performances by M. S. Bhaskar and Lal in other films went unrecognised.
This angered even Dravidianist supporting directors such as Cheran and Ranjith.
Filmmaker Cheran publicly criticised the awards, stating that his socially driven film Thirumanam was overlooked, which he said reflected a lack of sensitivity or possible insider bias within the selection process.
பெண்களுக்கு இலவச பஸ்.. வறுமையில் இருக்கும் குடும்பங்களுக்கு உதவித்தொகை.. திருமணத்திற்கு அரசு உதவி.. இதையெல்லாம் செய்யும் அரசு .. பெரும் பணம் இல்லாத குடும்பங்களில் கடன் படாமல் சிக்கனமாக எப்படி திருமணம் நடத்தப்பட வேண்டும்.. வாழ்க்கைக்கான சேமிப்பாக எப்படி அதை மாற்றலாம் என கருத்தோடு… pic.twitter.com/kMAPOuFQOa
— Cheran Pandiyan (@CheranDirector) February 1, 2026
Director Pa Ranjith also questioned the credibility of the awards after his widely acclaimed film Sarpatta Parambarai failed to earn him recognition.
தமிழ் நாடு அரசு திரைப்பட விருதுகள் அறிவித்துள்ள இச்சூழலில், உங்களிடம் ஒரு கேள்வி? தமிழ்நாடு மற்றும் இந்திய அளவில் அரசு மற்றும் தனியார் விருது அமைப்புகள் உண்மையாகவே நேர்மையாக செயல்படுகிறதா?
— pa.ranjith (@beemji) January 30, 2026
Additionally, the absence of awards for the splendid child actors Baby Monica for Kaithi and Aswath for Super Deluxe has added to the criticism.
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