Kamal Haasan brings back ‘Sandiyar’ title, revisits 2003 Virumaandi controversy

Veteran actor‑director Kamal Haasan has announced that he is reviving the title “Sandiyar,” a move that revisits a decision he made over two decades ago. In 2003, while preparing the film that eventually released as “Virumaandi,” Haasan had originally intended to name the project “Sandiyar.” The title, however, attracted controversy for its perceived political and communal overtones, prompting him to replace it with “Virumaandi.” Haasan now says the original title aligns with his current creative vision and the present socio‑political climate, though he has not clarified whether it will be attached to a new film or a re‑release of the earlier work. Industry observers note that resurrecting a shelved title after such a long gap is unusual and may indicate Haasan’s intent to address themes previously deemed sensitive. The information was reported by Livemint, which highlighted both the 2003 title change and the actor’s present rationale.