Sandakozhi

Balu is an engineering student studying in Chennai, who visits his classmate and friend Karthik's home in Chidambaram after the final exams. He meets Karthik's sister Hema, and they develop an affection which transforms into love. Kasi is the local gangster in Chidambaram who is feared by the entire town. On his way back to his place, Balu sees Kasi chasing a man with an aruval. When Kasi was about to kill the man he was chasing, Balu interferes and stops Kasi. An angered Kasi immediately tries to attack Balu. Balu smashes Kasi in front of everyone to save himself and leaves.

Kasi is furious and wants vengeance against Balu. Kasi's men trap Karthik/Hema's father and learn about Balu's native place. Kasi sets goons to kill Balu but gets shocked when he learns that Balu's father is a powerful chieftain of Theni named Durai, and it will be difficult to attack them. Kasi leaves to Theni and waits for the right moment to kill Balu and his family. Balu meets Hema, Karthik and their family at a temple. Hema/Karthik's father is initially angered by seeing Balu as he was responsible to bring trouble by hitting Kasi, but Balu convinces him, and both the families decide to get Balu and Hema married to each other.

One day, Kasi tries to kill Balu but instead attacks Durai. Durai understands that Balu is being targeted and decides to protect him. A localite in Theni hates Durai and his family and decides to help Kasi kill Durai. Kasi utilizes the opportunity to kill Balu and Durai during a temple festival, but Balu saves Durai and fights Kasi. Durai asks Balu to fight with him and win. Balu thrashes Kasi and leaves, challenging him to return if he still has guts to finish him.

The story was originally narrated for Vijay with Jyothika as heroine, but both were replaced by Vishal and Meera Jasmine later.[4] Vishal says that he worked hard for the role by taking courses in acting and dancing.[5]

A fight scene involving Vishal and Lal was picturised in Dindigul for seven days. The songs have been shot at locations in Australia, New Zealand and Chennai. An introduction song for Rajkiran was shot at Theni.[6]

The soundtrack, composed by Yuvan Shankar Raja, teaming up for the first time with director N. Linguswamy and Vishal, was released on 25 November 2005. It features 5 tracks, the lyrics of which were written by Pa. Vijay, Na. Muthukumar, Yugabharathi and Thamarai. Both the film score as well as the songs were appreciated and praised as outstanding with the song "Dhavanipotta Deepavali" considered as the pick of the album.[7][8]

Malini Mannath of Chennai Online wrote "Sandakozhi is an engaging entertainer, an action-flick with a difference".[9] Sify wrote "It is well-packaged film without any big stars or unwanted sentiments. Technically, the film is slick with good music by Yuvan and outstanding camerawork by Jeeva and Nirav Shah".[10]

The film was a commercial success grossing $4.5 million at the box office.[3]

In December 2015, Linguswamy announced that he would direct the sequel of Sandakozhi with Vishal again, which was shelved. However, the project was revived in 2017 with Vishal confirming his presence in the sequel.[11] Rajkiran from the original has been retained in the sequel, with additional new cast involving Keerthy Suresh and Varalaxmi Sarathkumar.[12] The film released in 2018; however, it failed to replicate the success of its original film.

• Sandakozhi at IMDb