Sandiyar's cast includes Kamal Haasan as Virumaandi Thevar, Napolean as Nallama Naicker and Pasupathy as Kotharala Thevar.

Napolean recalls how, when he was offered his first film Puthu Nellu Puthu Naaththu by Bharatiraja, he accepted it without knowing the story. Similarly, when Kamal Haasan offered him the role of Nallama Naicker in Sandiyar, he said yes without batting an eye.

Theatre artist Pasupathy came into the limelight with a powerful performance in Dharani's Dhool.