Kamal Haasan picked his 72nd birthday to start something he has waited more than two decades to finish. On Friday, November 7, the cameras started rolling on Sandiyar, his new rural revenge thriller, and the actor celebrated the day on the film’s sets with the crew. The shoot began a day after his production house, Raaj Kamal Films International (RKFI), officially announced the title, a name Kamal Haasan first chose for a film in 2004 and then had to give up.
RKFI shared a first-look poster to mark the occasion. It shows Kamal Haasan with short grey hair and a thick moustache, holding a handgun beside a blood-stained vehicle. The poster carries the line, “6 ROUNDS, ZERO MERCY. Revenge does give satisfaction, but…” and the tagline, “Revenge can only be settled in blood.” The production house captioned it: “SHOOT BEGINS TODAY.”
A title 22 years in the making
The name Sandiyar carries real history for Kamal Haasan. He originally chose it for his 2004 film, which eventually released as Virumaandi. In 2003, the Dalit political organisation Puthiya Tamizhagam, led by K. Krishnasamy, strongly opposed the title, arguing that it could glorify caste-based violence and create tensions in southern Tamil Nadu. Protests followed, the production moved its shooting from Madurai to Chennai, and Kamal Haasan eventually agreed to change the title.
Virumaandi went on to win widespread critical acclaim, but the original title stayed with him. Twenty-two years later, he has reclaimed it for his new film with S.U. Arun Kumar, which is why the November 6 announcement drew so much attention.
What we know about Sandiyar so far
Sandiyar is described as a rural revenge action thriller set against the backdrop of Madurai. The first schedule is taking place in Chengalpattu, near Chennai, where production designer C.S. Balachander has built large sets recreating Madurai’s streets and landscape. After this schedule, the team is expected to move to Madurai for an extensive outdoor schedule after Pongal, around mid-January 2027.
Kamal Haasan has reportedly set aside 45 to 50 continuous days to complete his major portions. He will appear in a realistic, middle-aged look, and the film reportedly does not need the CGI de-ageing used in some of his recent big-budget projects. Arun Kumar is aiming for a grounded, realistic style close to the story’s rural setting.
The team behind the film
Sandiyar marks the first collaboration between Kamal Haasan and S.U. Arun Kumar, known for Veera Dheera Sooran: Part 1, Sethupathi and Chiththa. The film was earlier known by its working title, KH237. Arun Kumar penned an emotional note in Tamil after the shoot began, calling Kamal Haasan a great artist.
The technical team is strong. Anirudh Ravichander is composing the music, cinematographer Sunil K.S., known for Aadujeevitham and Kammara Sambavam, is behind the camera, and National Award-winning stunt choreographers Anbariv, of Vikram and RDX fame, are handling the action sequences. Kamal Haasan and R Mahendran are producing the film, with S Disney as co-producer, under Raaj Kamal Films International and Turmeric Media, in association with AP International Films and Homescreen Entertainment.
A birthday on the sets
The actor marked his 72nd birthday on the sets of the film, cutting a cake and hosting a lunch for the crew. His daughters, Shruti Haasan and Akshara Haasan, shared emotional birthday wishes, celebrating his passion for cinema. New stills shared by the production house showed him in an intense avatar, holding a revolver and leaning into a car through its window.
For fans, the birthday announcement was the perfect gift. Kamal Haasan, fondly called Ulaganayagan, has kept up a steady run of work in recent years, and Sandiyar now joins the list of his most keenly watched projects.
What fans are waiting for next
Details about the extended cast, the storyline and the release date have not been revealed yet. What is clear is the tone: a grounded revenge drama rooted in Madurai, led by an actor playing his age. With the first schedule underway and a Madurai leg planned for early next year, more announcements are expected in the coming weeks.
For now, Sandiyar has begun, and Tamil cinema will be watching every step of it.
FAQs
When did the shooting of Sandiyar begin?
Filming began on November 7, 2026, on Kamal Haasan’s 72nd birthday, a day after RKFI officially announced the title.
Who is directing Sandiyar?
S.U. Arun Kumar, known for Veera Dheera Sooran: Part 1, Sethupathi and Chiththa, is directing the film. It is his first collaboration with Kamal Haasan.
Why is the title Sandiyar special for Kamal Haasan?
Kamal Haasan originally chose the title for his 2004 film, which released as Virumaandi after the title faced opposition in 2003. He has now reclaimed it, 22 years later.
What is Sandiyar about?
It is a rural revenge action thriller set against the backdrop of Madurai, with music by Anirudh Ravichander and action choreography by Anbariv.
When will Sandiyar release?
The makers have not announced a release date yet. The first schedule is underway in Chengalpattu, with a Madurai schedule planned after Pongal in mid-January 2027.
Sandiyar is now on floors, and we will keep you posted as the makers share more updates from the sets.
