From Mud Racing to Goat Fighting: Dr. Pragabhal’s Jockey Enters Fourth Week

Director Dr. Pragabhal has built a quiet niche for himself: finding traditional sports that Tamil cinema has never touched and building films around them. His debut Muddy was the first Indian film set in the world of mud racing. His follow-up, Jockey, takes on keda sandai, the goat-fighting tradition rooted in Madurai’s rural heartland. Released on January 23, the film is now in its fourth week in theatres.

Keda sandai is one of those cultural practices that most people outside southern Tamil Nadu have never encountered. It involves trained goats locked in bouts that carry deep community pride and fierce local rivalries. Dr. Pragabhal has spoken about discovering it during his travels across Madurai, recognizing it not just as a sport but as a cultural expression tied to Tamil heritage. Jockey is the first film to bring this tradition to the screen.

The director’s reunion with his Muddy leads extends beyond a shared interest in niche sports. Yuvan Krishna and Ridhaan Krishnas return in lead roles, with Ammu Abhirami joining as the female lead. The bond between the protagonist and his goat has been singled out as one of the film’s emotional anchors, and the fight choreography involving the animals has drawn attention as a standout sequence. Sakthi Balaji handles the music, with Udhayakumar on cinematography and Srikanth editing.

“In today’s times, a film crossing some days itself is a very big achievement,” Dr. Pragabhal said. “Jockey has been running successfully and people from various sections are continuously appreciating it. My heartfelt thanks to Tamil audiences who always support quality cinema.”