{{short description|2005 film by N. Lingusamy}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2024}} {{Use Indian English|date=April 2024}} {{Infobox film | name = Sandakozhi | image = Sandakozhi.jpg | caption = Poster | director = [[N. Lingusamy]] | producer = [[Vikram Krishna]] | writer = [[S. Ramakrishnan]] <small>'''(Dialogues)'''</small> | story = N. Lingusamy | screenplay = N. Lingusamy | starring = [[Vishal (actor)|Vishal]]<br />[[Meera Jasmine]]<br />[[Rajkiran]]<br />[[Lal (actor)|Lal]] | studio = [[Vikram Krishna|G K Film Corporation]] | music = [[Yuvan Shankar Raja]] | cinematography = [[Jeeva (director)|Jeeva]]<br />[[Nirav Shah]] | editing = [[G. Sasikumar]] | released = {{Film date|2005|12|16|df=y}} | runtime = 135 minutes | language = Tamil | country = India | budget = | gross =
crore }}
'''''Sandakozhi''''' ({{translation|Fighting [[Rooster]]}}) is a 2005 Indian [[Tamil language|Tamil]]-language [[action drama film]] directed by [[N. Lingusamy]] and produced by Vikram Krishna under G K Film Corporation. The film stars [[Vishal (actor)|Vishal]], [[Meera Jasmine]], [[Rajkiran]], and [[Lal (actor)|Lal]], while Raja, [[Suman Setty]] and [[Ganja Karuppu]] play supporting roles. The music was composed by [[Yuvan Shankar Raja]], while the cinematography and editing were handled by [[Jeeva (director)|Jeeva]]-[[Nirav Shah]] and [[G. Sasikumar]] respectively.
''Sandakozhi'' was released on 16 December 2005 to positive reviews from critics and became a major success, running for over 210 days in theatres and achieving [[cult status]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=6 January 2007 |title=Lingusamy's relationship with Vishal goes awry |url=https://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-news/jan-07-01/06-01-07-lingusamy.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230614182432/http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-news/jan-07-01/06-01-07-lingusamy.html |archive-date=14 June 2023 |access-date=19 April 2024 |website=Behindwoods}}</ref> The [[Telugu language|Telugu]] dubbed version titled ''Pandem Kodi'' released on 19 May 2006 and was also commercially successful.<ref name=":10" /> The film was remade in Kannada as ''[[Vayuputra]]''. A sequel titled ''[[Sandakozhi 2]]'' was released in 2018, but the sequel became a flop.
==Plot== Balu, an engineering student studying in Chennai, visits his classmate and friend Karthik's home in [[Chidambaram]] after the final exams. Balu meets Karthik's sister Hema and they develop an affection which transforms into love. Kasi, a local gangster in Chidambaram, 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, Balu interferes and stops Kasi, who gets enraged and immediately tries to attack Balu, but Balu smashes Kasi in front of everyone 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 Durai, a powerful chieftain of [[Theni]], 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 families approve Balu and Hema's relationship.
One day, Kasi tries to kill Balu, but Durai gets attacked instead. 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 utilises the opportunity to kill Balu and Durai during a temple festival, but Balu saves Durai. Durai asks Balu to fight with Kasi, where Balu thrashes Kasi and leaves, challenging him to return if he still has guts to finish him.
==Cast== {{cast listing| * [[Vishal (actor)|Vishal]] as Balu * [[Meera Jasmine]] (voice: [[Savitha Radhakrishnan|Savitha]]) as Hema * [[Rajkiran]] as Duraipandi Thevar * [[Lal (actor)|Lal]] as Kasi * Raja as Karthik * [[Suman Shetty]] as Ilango * [[Ganja Karuppu]] as Karuppu * [[Thalaivasal Vijay]] as Durai's nemesis * John Amirtharaj as Hema's father * Jaya Murali as Hema's mother * [[Shanmugarajan]] as Durai's brother-in-law * [[Thennavan (actor)|Thennavan]] as Durai's brother-in-law * [[Kadhal Dhandapani]] * [[George Maryan]] as Lawyer * [[Mu Ramaswamy]] as Villager * [[Monica (actress)|Monica]] as Balu's cousin }} [[Vidharth]] and [[Elango Kumaravel]], uncredited, play Balu and Karthik's friends.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tvguide.com/movies/sandakozhi/cast/2000191827/|title=Sandakozhi|website=TVGuide.com}}</ref>
==Production== ''Sandakozhi'' was originally narrated for [[Vijay (actor)|Vijay]], but he declined the project without listening to the full script. Discussions with [[Suriya]] proved unsuccessful too, as [[Bala (director)| Bala]] who was then attached as producer had a dispute with Linguswamy over his set remuneration.<ref>{{Cite web |date=30 April 2022 |title=This 2005 Blockbuster Starring Vishal was Rejected by Vijay Without Hearing Full Script |url=https://www.news18.com/news/movies/this-2005-blockbuster-starring-vishal-was-rejected-by-vijay-without-hearing-full-script-2-5087737.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220501043942/https://www.news18.com/news/movies/this-2005-blockbuster-starring-vishal-was-rejected-by-vijay-without-hearing-full-script-2-5087737.html |archive-date=1 May 2022 |access-date=1 May 2022 |website=[[News18]]}}</ref> [[Vishal (actor)|Vishal]] approached Lingusamy for the film and although Lingusamy was initially hesitant, Vishal assured him that he would be a right fit for the role right before ''[[Chellamae]]'' was to be released.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/tamil/how-sandakozhi-originally-written-for-vijay-made-vishal-an-overnight-star-in-tamil-cinema-10331710/|title=How a film originally written for Vijay made this young actor an overnight star in Tamil cinema|date=28 October 2025|work=Indian Express}}</ref> Vishal worked hard for the role by taking courses in acting and dancing.<ref>{{Cite web |date=13 October 2004 |title=Vishal signed by Lingusamy! |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/vishal-signed-by-lingusamy-news-tamil-kkfvGzghchdsi.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170902134825/http://www.sify.com/movies/vishal-signed-by-lingusamy-news-tamil-kkfvGzghchdsi.html |archive-date=2 September 2017 |access-date=2 September 2017 |website=[[Sify]]}}</ref> A fight scene involving Vishal and [[Lal (actor)|Lal]] was picturised in [[Dindigul]] for seven days. The songs were shot at locations in Australia, New Zealand and [[Chennai]]. An introduction song for [[Rajkiran]] was shot at [[Theni]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mannath |first=Malini |date=15 December 2005 |title=Sandai Kozhi |url=http://www.chennaionline.com/film/Onlocation/2005/12sandaikozhi.asp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060101134255/http://www.chennaionline.com/film/Onlocation/2005/12sandaikozhi.asp |archive-date=1 January 2006 |access-date=12 January 2022 |website=Chennai Online}}</ref> The song "Ennamo Nadakirathe" was shot at Mauritius for six days.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cinesouth.com/masala/hotnews/new/01122005-5.shtml|date=1 December 2005|website=Cinesouth|access-date=16 July 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051205005035/http://www.cinesouth.com/masala/hotnews/new/01122005-5.shtml|archive-date=5 December 2005|title='Sandaikozhi' in Mauritius}}</ref>
==Soundtrack== 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. 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.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Rangarajan |first=Malathi |date=23 December 2005 |title=Interesting twists |url=http://www.hindu.com/fr/2005/12/23/stories/2005122300430200.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051225035801/http://www.hindu.com/fr/2005/12/23/stories/2005122300430200.htm |archive-date=25 December 2005 |access-date=22 June 2009 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Sandakozhi |url=http://sify.com/movies/tamil/review.php?id=14049504&ctid=5&cid=2429 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060313015620/http://sify.com/movies/tamil/review.php?id=14049504&ctid=5&cid=2429 |archive-date=13 March 2006 |access-date=22 June 2009 |website=[[Sify]]}}</ref> The audio launch for the Telugu dubbed version took place on 7 May 2006 at Fortune Katriya Hotel in Hyderabad.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.idlebrain.com/news/functions/audio-pandemkodi.html|title=Pandem Kodi music launch - Telugu Cinema - Vishal & Meera Jasmine|website=www.idlebrain.com}}</ref>
{{track listing | headline = Track listing | extra_column = Singer(s) | total_length = 22:37 | title1 = Dhavanipotta Deepavali | lyrics1 = [[Yugabharathi]] | extra1 = [[Vijay Yesudas]], [[Shreya Ghoshal]] | length1 = 4:23 | title2 = Ennamo Nadakkirathe | lyrics2 = [[Na. Muthukumar]]|| | extra2 = [[Shaan (singer)|Shaan]] | length2 = 5:01 | title3 = Gumthalakkadi Gana | lyrics3 = [[Na. Muthukumar]] | extra3 = [[Karthik (singer)|Karthik]], [[Ranjith (Singer)|Ranjith]] | length3 = 5:03 | title4 = Ketta Kodukkira Boomi | lyrics4 = [[Thamarai]] | extra4 = [[Ganga Sitharasu]], [[Jassie Gift]], [[Sujatha Mohan]], [[Premgi Amaren|Premgi]], Yuvan Shankar Raja | length4 = 4:26 | title5 = Mundasu Sooriyane | lyrics5 = [[Pa. Vijay]] | extra5 = [[Karthik (singer)|Karthik]], [[Palakkad Sreeram]] | length5 = 3:44 }}
==Reception== === Critical response === ''[[Sify]]'' wrote "''Sandakozhi'' is a well-packaged film without any big stars or unwanted sentiments."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sandakozhi |url=https://www.sify.com/movies/sandakozhi-review--pclvOzjeejaji.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190113064442/http://www.sify.com/movies/sandakozhi-review--pclvOzjeejaji.html |archive-date=13 January 2019 |access-date=27 November 2019 |website=[[Sify]]}}</ref> Malini Mannath of ''Chennai Online'' wrote "Sandakozhi is an engaging entertainer, an action-flick with a difference".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mannath |first=Malini |date=26 December 2005 |title=Sandakozhi |url=http://www.chennaionline.com/film/Moviereviews/2005/12sandakozhi.asp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060106071521/http://www.chennaionline.com/film/Moviereviews/2005/12sandakozhi.asp |archive-date=6 January 2006 |access-date=27 November 2019 |website=Chennai Online}}</ref> Lajjavathi of ''[[Kalki (magazine)|Kalki]]'' wrote "''Sandakozhi'' which came out without major stars and any unnecessary sentiments is a ''Jaikira Kozhi'' (winning rooster)."<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=லஜ்ஜாவதி |date=8 January 2006 |title=சண்டக்கோழி |url=https://archive.org/details/kalki2006-01-08/page/n97/mode/2up |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240229160745/https://archive.org/details/kalki2006-01-08/page/n97/mode/2up |archive-date=29 February 2024 |access-date=29 February 2024 |magazine=[[Kalki (magazine)|Kalki]] |page=96 |language=ta |via=[[Internet Archive]]}}</ref> ''[[Ananda Vikatan]]'' wrote that Lingusamy's mixed taste shines in the tumultuous romance and thrilling action knots; only if the liveliness and excitement of the first half had been the same in the second half, ''Sandakozhi'' could have been given a loud whistle.<ref>{{cite web |date=8 January 2006 |title=சினிமா விமர்சனம்: சண்டக்கோழி |url=https://www.vikatan.com/humour-and-satire/cinema/75999- |url-access=subscription |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240717061410/https://www.vikatan.com/humour-and-satire/cinema/75999- |archive-date=17 July 2024 |access-date=17 July 2024 |website=[[Ananda Vikatan]] |language=ta}}</ref>
===Box office=== The film was a commercial success grossing $4.5 million at the box office.<ref name=":10">{{Cite web |date=10 October 2006 |title=Chitchat with Vishal |url=http://www.idlebrain.com/news/2000march20/chitchat-vishal.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090310155842/http://www.idlebrain.com/news/2000march20/chitchat-vishal.html |archive-date=10 March 2009 |access-date=30 March 2009 |website=[[Idlebrain.com]]}}</ref> After the success of ''Sandakozhi'', Vishal's father G. K. Reddy decided to dub the film in Telugu as ''Pandem Kodi'', which was released in May 2006.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.idlebrain.com/news/functions/pressmeet-pandemkodi.html|title=Pandem Kodi pressmeet - Telugu Cinema - Vishal|website=www.idlebrain.com}}</ref> The Telugu dubbed version was also successful collecting a [[Box office#Distributor rentals|distributors' share]] of ₹2.5-3 crore.<ref>{{cite web |last=M.L |first=Narasimham |date=December 29, 2006 |title=A few hits and many flops |url=http://www.hindu.com/fr/2006/12/29/stories/2006122901630100.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150808145256/http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-fridayreview/article3231882.ece |archive-date=August 8, 2015 |access-date=May 12, 2025 |website=[[The Hindu]] |language=en}}</ref>
== Accolades == ''Sandakozhi'' won two [[Tamil Nadu State Film Awards]]: [[Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Character Artiste (Male)|Best Male Character Artiste]] (Rajkiran) and [[Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Stunt Coordinator|Best Stunts]] ([[Kanal Kannan]]).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tamil Nadu State Film Awards 2005 |url=https://www.webindia123.com/movie/awards/state/tamil/2005/index.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240813114658/https://www.webindia123.com/movie/awards/state/tamil/2005/index.htm |archive-date=13 August 2024 |access-date=9 October 2024 |website=Webindia123}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Naresh |title=Rajnikant, Kamal Haasan adjudged Best Actors |url=http://www.screenindia.com/old/fullstory.php?content_id=17257 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081208040445/http://www.screenindia.com/old/fullstory.php?content_id=17257 |archive-date=8 December 2008 |access-date=17 October 2024 |website=[[Screen (magazine)|Screen]]}}</ref>
==Sequel== {{main|Sandakozhi 2}} 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.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2 August 2017 |title=Yuvan Shankar Raja on board for Sandakozhi 2 |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2017/aug/02/yuvan-shankar-raja-on-board-for-sandakozhi-2-1636876.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231102125005/https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2017/aug/02/yuvan-shankar-raja-on-board-for-sandakozhi-2-1636876.html |archive-date=2 November 2023 |access-date=17 February 2024 |website=[[The New Indian Express]]}}</ref> Rajkiran from the original has been retained in the sequel, with additional new cast involving [[Keerthy Suresh]] and [[Varalaxmi Sarathkumar]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=7 September 2017 |title=Vishal: 'Sandakozhi 2' is Lingusamy's fifth draft |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/vishal-sandakozhi-2-is-lingusamy-s-fifth-draft-news-tamil-rjhkW8fhhgbbj.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170910161435/http://www.sify.com/movies/vishal-sandakozhi-2-is-lingusamy-s-fifth-draft-news-tamil-rjhkW8fhhgbbj.html |archive-date=10 September 2017 |access-date=11 September 2017 |website=[[Sify]]}}</ref> The film was released in 2018; however, it failed to replicate the success of its original film.
==References== {{reflist}}
== External links == * {{IMDb title}} {{N. Lingusamy}}
[[Category:2005 Indian films]] [[Category:2000s masala films]] [[Category:2005 Tamil-language films]] [[Category:2005 action drama films]] [[Category:2005 films]] [[Category:Films directed by N. Lingusamy]] [[Category:Films scored by Yuvan Shankar Raja]] [[Category:Films shot in Australia]] [[Category:Films shot in Madurai]] [[Category:Films shot in Mauritius]] [[Category:Films shot in New Zealand]] [[Category:Indian action drama films]] [[Category:Tamil films remade in other languages]] [[Category:Tamil-language Indian films]]