Sainikudu (transl. Soldier) is a 2006 Indian Telugu-language political action drama film directed by Gunasekhar and produced by C. Aswani Dutt and Swapna Dutt. It stars Mahesh Babu, Trisha and Irrfan Khan in the lead roles, while Prakash Raj, Kota Srinivasa Rao, Telangana Shakuntala, and Ajay play supporting roles. The film marks Irrfan Khan's only South Indian film till date.^[2][3] The music, cinematography and editing were handled by Harris Jayaraj, Balasubramaniem and A. Sreekar Prasad.

Sainikudu was released on 16 November 2006 and became a box office bomb.^[4] The film was partially reshot in Tamil as Kumaran, with a comedy track involving Vadivelu.^[5][1]

Siddharth and his friends saves the people from floods at Ranga Saipet, Warangal district. Parakala Purushottam Yadav alias Pappu Yadav, a former gangster recommended for Assembly Elections by the CM, gets the attention of people by announcing a sum of ₹5 crore for flood victims. Siddharth learns that the food needed for the flood victims has been taken elsewhere to be sold, which is an illegal way to earn money and backing up the flood relief fund into the pockets of the politicians.

Siddharth saves the stock in time and takes it to the flood victims for distribution, thus annoying Pappu. J. Venkat Rao alias "Mondi Naani", Pappu's right-hand, threatens Siddharth and a strife develops between Mondi Naani and Siddharth. Siddharth later declares that his friend Ajay Kumar will be contesting the election against Pappu Yadav. Siddharth and his team get accolades from the people for this decision and start campaigning. To cut the good name of Siddharth's group in the people and to win sympathy, Pappu Yadav conspires for a bomb blast allegation on Siddharth and his team.

The mission gets accomplished and Pappu declares Siddharth and his team as terrorists. Pappu becomes the Home Minister and his marriage is settled with Varalakshmi, a talkative woman. Siddharth, with the help of college students, kidnaps Varalakshmi from the marriage hall, demanding that Pappu Yadav confesses his crimes in front of everyone. While being kidnapped, Varalakshmi develops feelings for Siddharth. Pappu Yadav chases after Siddharth to get Varalakshmi back, but Siddharth manages to prove his innocence and puts an end to Pappu, Mondi Naani and other crooked politicians.

Sainikudu has six songs composed by Harris Jayaraj. The music was released simultaneously in 10 venues from five countries – India, USA, Australia, Singapore and Dubai on the morning of 21 October 2006. The producer of the film, Ashwini Dutt, arranged the use of a satellite transmission to relay the live audio release across the globe.^[7] The music proved to be extremely successful upon release.^[8] The song "Go Go Go Adhigo" is based on "Smooth Criminal" by Michael Jackson, from his 1987 Album "Bad". The song "Orugalluke Pilla" is inspired by "Chaiyya Chaiyya" by A. R. Rahman, from the 1998 movie "Dil Se".

• 2006 - Nandi Award for Best Special Effects - Rana^[11]