The late Sivaji Ganesan’s portrayal of Veerapandiya Kattabomman left a lasting impression, reaching even as far as Egypt. The film not only captivated audiences in Tamil Nadu but also resonated strongly in other states, surpassing 175 days in numerous theatres, including the esteemed Madurai New Cinema.
Sivaji Ganesan played a pivotal role in etching Veerapandiya Kattabomman into the collective consciousness of Tamil Nadu. Driven by his nationalist spirit, he acquired 47 cents of land in Gayathar in 1970, personally funding the installation of a statue dedicated to Veerapandiya Kattabomman. The inauguration of the Karmaveerar Kamarajar Kattabomman statue took place on July 16, 1970, with President Sanjiva Reddy leading the ceremony.
Veerapandiya Kattabomman, an 18th-century soldier who fought against the East India Company, had his life story sought for a film adaptation. In July 1948, Selvam Pictures declared their intention to produce a biopic titled Kattabommu, the original name of Kattabomman. BU Chinnappa, a prominent star of that era, was cast to portray Kattabomman. Unfortunately, the project was eventually abandoned.
In 1953, Gemini Studios, under SS Vasan’s direction, revealed plans for a biopic on Veerapandiya Kattabomman titled Kattabomman. Gothamangalam Subpu and Vepur Kittu were assigned to craft the story and screenplay. An announcement in Ananda Vigatan offered rewards for those providing pertinent information about Veerapandiya Kattabomman. Despite the official announcement on November 5, 1953, the endeavour to bring the soldier’s story to the screen faced yet another setback.
In the mid-fifties, Sivaji Ganesan, along with storyteller Sakthi TK Krishnaswamy, ventured into the theatre through Gayatharu. They approached Sivaji Krishnaswamy to write Veerapandiya Kattabomman’s life story as a play. Despite being a leading cinema star, Sivaji maintained his love for theatre, and Krishnasamy penned the play as requested.
Under Sivaji’s Shivaji Natak Mandra, the play Kattabomman was staged, featuring Sivaji, MR Chandanam, and others. Sivaji invested Rs 5,000 for over 100 performances, resulting in a profit of Rs 32 lakh after covering all expenses. In a philanthropic gesture, Sivaji donated a substantial portion of the earnings to Tamil Nadu schools for purchasing equipment like benches and chairs.
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