At a time when all small kings around him were submitting to English command and paying taxes to foreign rule, Veerapandiya Kattabomman stood tall by his refusal to bow. The courage to stand alone against a huge colonial force made him a force by himself. His actions were inspiration to others who carried similar fires in their hearts. Considered by many as Sivaji Ganesan’s finest ever performances, the most unforgettable moment of the movie is the fiery ‘Vari vatti’ dialogue which resonates even 50 years after it was first heard.