Vendhu Thanindhathu Kaadu, (transl. The Scorched Forest), also known as Vendhu Thanindhathu Kaadu: Part I - The Kindling, is a 2022 Indian Tamil-language neo-noir gangster film directed by Gautham Vasudev Menon and written by B. Jeyamohan. It is produced by Ishari K. Ganesh. The film stars Silambarasan and Siddhi Idnani in lead roles, with Raadhika Sarathkumar, Neeraj Madhav and Siddique in supporting roles. The film score and soundtrack is composed by A. R. Rahman.

Principal photography commenced in August 2021 and ended in April 2022. The film was released in theatres on 15 September 2022 and received mostly positive reviews from critics, with praise towards STR's performance, direction, screenwriting, cinematography, soundtrack and score, but criticized the slow pace and rushed climax. The film became a critical and commercial success. A sequel is also announced and is in development.