[2] Many of his silent films had reformist social themes like Peyum pennum (1930), Nandhanar (1930), Anadhai Penn (1931), Pride of Hindustan (1931) and sathi usha sundari (1931).

[12] After talking films were introduced with Alam Ara in 1931, he went back to Bombay and starred in many Hindi and Tamil talkies.

Vasantha Sena(1936), Chalak Chor (1936), Chandra kantha (1936), Vishnuleela (1938), Thiruneelakantar (1939) and Choodamani (1941) were some of the films he directed and starred in during that period.

He was the first to introduce intimate kissing scenes and dancers in revealing costumes to the then conservative Tamil film industry.

[14] He was also the first director and producer to move Tamil cinema from remaking mythological stories and into making social themed films.

[15] Sandow was also the first director to use Tamil literary works for film by directing Anadhai penn in 1931 based on Vai.

[13] Writing about Sandow, film historian Theodore Baskaran says: As a director, actor, scriptwriter and producer, his contribution to Tamil cinema is significant.