The Warrior of Madurai) is a 1956 Indian Tamil-language historical action film directed by D. Yoganand, written by Kannadasan, and produced by Lena Chettiar.

Based on the folklore legend turned deity of the same name, it stars M. G. Ramachandran as the eponymous character, with P. Bhanumathi and Padmini playing his love interests.

A baby is born to the chieftain of Varanavasi, but with an unlucky mark destined to bring doom to the state.

Finally the King of Tiruchi, from whom Narasappan had sought assistance, declares that Veeran and Bommi are not guilty of any crime and sanctifies their union in wedlock.

Before the sentence is carried out Veeran recognises in the crowd the leader of the thieves Sangilikaruppan, and puts him to death in a quick encounter.

[5][6] Another attempt to make a film based on the legend was made in the late 1940s by Naveena Pictures, with P. U. Chinnappa set to star; this did not materialise.

[7] Lena Chettiar of Krishna Pictures later successfully managed to produce one, also titled Madurai Veeran, with D. Yoganand as director.

[6] M. G. Ramachandran, who starred as the title character,[2] initially refused to act in the film because it had mythological references, but joined after being urged by R. M.

[14] Ashish Rajadhyaksha and Paul Willemen, in Encyclopedia of Indian Cinema, compare it to Ramachandran's earlier films like Malaikkallan (1954) and Alibabavum 40 Thirudargalum (1956) as they are also Robin Hood-inspired, and because P. Bhanumathi plays a damsel in distress in them.

[9][16] The song "Summa Kidantha Sothukku Kashtam" is based on "Yeruvaaka Saagaaro Ranno Chinnanna", composed by Master Venu for the Telugu film Rojulu Marayi (1955).

[17] A. V. Meiyappan, distributor of Rojulu Marayi's Tamil remake Kaalam Maari Pochu (1956), which re-used "Yeruvaaka Saagaaro Ranno Chinnanna" as "Kallam Kabadam Theriyadhavane" (also known as "Yerupooti Povaye Anne Sinnanne"), sued Lena Chettiar, accusing him of stealing the tune of his film song.

The reviewer praised the performances of Ramachandran, T. S. Balaiah, Bhanumathi and Padmini, the comedy sequences featuring N. S. Krishnan and T. A. Mathuram, Yoganand's direction, the dialogue and music, concluding, "[Madurai Veeran] makes one interested right from the beginning to the finish.

[27] Although Madurai Veeran is based on a legend, it has been criticised for taking liberties, primarily with the depiction of the title character.

[32] He avoided doing such roles since the late 1960s after his Paasam (1962) failed commercially since fans could not accept his character's death in that film.