Hindu hater EV Ramasamy fanboy, actor and Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) leader Kamal Haasan has revived a controversial film title from his past, naming his upcoming film Sandiyar, 22 years after he was forced to drop the same title for his 2004 film Virumaandi following protests by Puthiya Tamizhagam leader Dr K. Krishnasamy, as reported in Times of India.
Kamal is set to star in the film directed by SU Arun Kumar, known for Sethupathi, Chithha and Veera Dheera Sooran. The project, previously referred to as KH237, was announced with a first-look poster showing Kamal in a rugged avatar holding a gun. The title announcement came a day ahead of his 72nd birthday.
6 ROUNDS, ZERO MERCY 🔥
Revenge does give satisfaction, but…Happy Birthday to our, SANDIYAR!
SHOOT BEGINS TODAY
#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 7, 2026
The choice of title has brought back memories of the controversy surrounding his 2003 film, which was initially named Sandiyar before being renamed Virumaandi.
At the time, Dr K. Krishnasamy had strongly opposed the title, arguing that it could create tensions in southern Tamil Nadu and revive what he described as the region’s aruval (sickle) culture, which had claimed several lives. He had also reportedly warned that he would disrupt the film’s shooting if the title was not changed.
The controversy reached then Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa, with Kamal Haasan seeking police protection for the film’s shooting. However, Jayalalithaa reportedly declined to intervene, stating that films were meant for entertainment and not for creating problems, and that the police had other responsibilities.
Kamal had maintained that there were no caste references in the film’s script and questioned the objections to its title. During the controversy, he had also used humour to take a swipe at the opposition, reportedly joking that if Krishnasamy objected to the title Sandiyar, choosing another title could upset someone else.
The actor had also questioned how the definition of culture kept changing over the years and whether filmmakers should stop making films in the name of protecting it.
The term Sandiyar has multiple interpretations, including a troublemaker or a person associated with valour and a glorified heroic image. Its association with regional violence and caste-related tensions, however, made it contentious during the earlier controversy.
For the new film, Kamal has joined hands with SU Arun Kumar for the first time. Kamal Haasan and R. Mahendran are producing the project under Raaj Kamal Films International, in association with Turmeric Media. Anirudh Ravichander is composing the music, Sunil KS is handling cinematography, CS Balachander is the production designer, Amritha Ram is the costume designer, and action choreography is being handled by Anbariv.
Subscribe to our channels on WhatsApp, Telegram, Instagram and YouTube to get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.
