Sandamarutham
Sandamarutham is a 2015 Indian Tamil-language action thriller film directed by A. Venkatesh and written by Rajeshkumar.[1] The film stars R. Sarathkumar in dual roles as the honest undercover police officer Surya and the ruthless criminal Sarveswaran, alongside Samuthirakani as Inspector Thirumalai, with supporting performances by Radhika Sarathkumar, Meera Nandan, and Oviya.[1][2] Released on 20 February 2015, it centers on Surya's mission to thwart Sarveswaran's plan to sell a highly dangerous chemical to terrorists intending to attack 101 cities on Diwali, while Thirumalai's parallel investigation leads to intense confrontations.[1] The narrative blends high-stakes action sequences with family drama elements, though it received mixed reviews for its formulaic plot and pacing, earning a 2.5/5 rating from critics at The Times of India and a 3.8/10 average on IMDb based on user votes.[1][2]Overview
Background
Sandamarutham is a 2015 Tamil-language action thriller film with a runtime of 149 minutes, certified U/A by the Central Board of Film Certification for containing moderate violence and some suggestive content.[3][4] The film marks a significant project for R. Sarathkumar, who not only starred in dual roles but also penned the story, with the screenplay crafted by crime novelist Rajesh Kumar.[5][6] Directed by A. Venkatesh, the movie represents another collaboration between the director and Sarathkumar, following their previous joint ventures in films such as Mahaprabhu (1996), Aai (2004), and Chanakya (2005).[7] It was produced by Radhika Sarathkumar and Listin Stephen under the banner of Magic Frames International.[5][2]Plot
Sandamarutham centers on Surya, an undercover police officer who infiltrates a criminal network to thwart a massive terrorist attack on India. Tasked with investigating suspicious activities in Kumbakonam, Surya discovers the operations of Sarveswaran, a ruthless criminal mastermind who serves as his exact doppelgänger. Sarveswaran, driven by personal vendettas revealed in flashbacks, manufactures and supplies the highly potent chemical Ophalaska to terrorists, enabling the creation of devastating bombs capable of widespread destruction.[1][8] As Surya delves deeper, he faces relentless opposition from Sarveswaran, who consistently stays several steps ahead, outmaneuvering initial police efforts led by Inspector Thirumalai, who ultimately falls victim to the criminal's schemes. The antagonist's plot escalates to target 101 cities with synchronized bombings on Diwali, aiming to sow chaos across the nation for financial gain. Surya's pursuit intensifies into a high-stakes cat-and-mouse game, complicated by Sarveswaran's manipulation of his personal life; the villain holds Surya's family— including his loved ones—hostage, issuing lethal threats via phone calls to force compliance and heighten the emotional toll.[1][8][9] The narrative builds to a series of intense confrontations, culminating in a brutal mano-a-mano arena battle between Surya and Sarveswaran. In the climactic showdown, Surya leverages his determination and investigative insights to overpower his doppelgänger, dismantling the bomb network and rescuing his family. With the national security threat averted and Sarveswaran's reign of terror ended, Surya emerges victorious, resolving both the larger conspiracy and his personal ordeal.[1][8]Production
Development
The development of Sandamarutham began in early 2014, marking R. Sarathkumar's 125th film as an actor. Sarathkumar conceived the core story, drawing inspiration from a real-life incident narrated to him by a police officer he encountered at an airport, which centered on themes of criminal enterprise and law enforcement confrontation. This narrative foundation emphasized action-thriller elements, including a protagonist clashing with an antagonist in a high-stakes moral battle, allowing Sarathkumar to portray dual roles as a heroic figure and a villainous counterpart.[10] Sarathkumar penned the initial story outline and shared it with director A. Venkatesh, who collaborated on adapting it into a full screenplay to highlight the dual-role dynamics and thriller pacing. Crime novelist Rajesh Kumar then refined the screenplay and wrote the dialogues, incorporating tense confrontations and moral dilemmas to suit the good-versus-evil trope at the film's heart. This collaborative process ensured the script balanced action sequences with character-driven conflict, finalized ahead of production launch.[10][11] Pre-production activities ramped up in the first half of 2014, including initial planning under producers Radhika Sarathkumar and Listin Stephen. Location scouting focused on urban and temple settings in Chennai to support the thriller's atmospheric needs, with the first shoot site identified at Mylapore's Apparsamy Temple for its symbolic resonance with the story's themes. The project was formally launched with a pooja ceremony on May 14, 2014, transitioning swiftly into principal photography. Budget details for the film, a mid-range production typical of 2014 Tamil action thrillers, were not publicly disclosed.[11]Casting
R. Sarathkumar was cast in the dual lead roles of Inspector Surya, an undercover police officer, and Sarveshwaran, a ruthless terrorist leader, marking his first time portraying both the protagonist and antagonist in a single film.[12][13] This casting choice drew on Sarathkumar's established reputation as an action-hero in Tamil cinema, allowing him to embody contrasting characters central to the story's conflict.[2] Oviya was selected as the female lead, portraying Surya's wife and contributing emotional depth to the narrative through her character's personal stakes.[14] She replaced Avani Modi in the role, bringing a youthful dynamic to pair with Sarathkumar's senior presence.[15] Meera Nandan joined the cast in a key supporting female role linked to the family elements of the plot, serving as the romantic interest for one of Sarathkumar's characters and enhancing the interpersonal subplots.[14] She stepped in after Sarayu was initially considered for the part.[16] Samuthirakani played Inspector Thirumalai, a colleague to Surya who offers both comedic relief and investigative assistance in the film's procedural aspects.[17] His involvement added layers of humor and camaraderie to the ensemble.[1] The supporting cast included veteran actors in minor roles such as terrorists, police officials, and family members, with Radhika Sarathkumar, Radha Ravi as Rangarajan, Vijayakumar, and Imman Annachi filling out the ensemble to depict the broader network of antagonists and allies.[5][17][18] No notable debutants were featured in significant positions.Filming
Principal photography for Sandamarutham began on 14 May 2014 in Chennai and concluded in August 2014.[19][20] The shoot took place primarily in and around Chennai, including a specially erected set in Tiruverkadu for key sequences.[21] Action sequences were filmed to highlight the film's action-thriller elements.[22] Handling R. Sarathkumar's dual roles presented logistical challenges during filming, requiring careful coordination for scenes involving both characters.[23] Cinematography was handled by N. S. Uthayakumar, who focused on dynamic visuals to support the thriller narrative.[5] Editing by V. T. Vijayan emphasized tight pacing to maintain suspense throughout the action-oriented sequences.[24]Music
Composition
James Vasanthan was hired as the composer for Sandamarutham due to his established experience in crafting emotional and action-oriented tracks, as evidenced by his acclaimed work on the rural drama Subramaniapuram (2008) and the crime thriller Naanayam (2010).[25] His selection aligned with the film's blend of intense action sequences and heartfelt emotional moments, allowing him to tailor the score to the narrative's dual roles played by lead actor R. Sarathkumar.[26] Recording sessions for the score and songs occurred in 2014, coinciding with the overall production timeline that wrapped principal photography earlier that year. Vasanthan focused on integrating folk-inspired elements with ominous thriller motifs to heighten the suspense and cultural authenticity. The lyrics for all tracks were written by Na. Muthukumar.[26] The background score stands out for its tense, pulsating cues during the terrorist-related confrontations and high-stakes pursuits, which amplify the film's thriller elements, while softer romantic interludes provide contrast and emotional respite amid the action. The audio launch event was held on 14 December 2014 at Prasad Studios in Chennai, drawing attendance from key cast members including R. Sarathkumar, Oviya, and Meera Nandan, as well as special guest Dhanush, who praised the music's intensity.[27]Track listing
The soundtrack of Sandamarutham features four tracks composed by James Vasanthan, with lyrics by Na. Muthukumar, blending romantic, folk, and action elements in line with his melodic style.[28]| No. | Title | Singer(s) | Duration | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sandamarutham | James Vasanthan, Jithin Raj | 3:35 | Action-oriented title song evoking intensity and heroism.[28][29] |
| 2 | Paarthu Konde | Sathyaprakash, Saindhavi | 4:27 | Romantic duet capturing tender emotions and longing.[28][20] |
| 3 | Dummangoli | Gana Ulaganathan, A. V. Pooja | 4:28 | Upbeat folk track with energetic rhythms and celebratory vibes.[28][30] |
| 4 | Unnai Mattum | Sarathkumar, Cassandra Premji | 4:11 | Emotional ballad expressing deep affection and vulnerability.[30][31] |