"Kappalottiya Thamizhan" received generally positive reviews. Malathi Rangarajan of "The Hindu newspaper" said, "Films on patriotism are many. But Panthulu's "Kappalottiya Tamizhan" stands higher for the natural imitations of Sivaji Ganesan as VOC, and S.V. Subbiah as Bharatiar. The reviews praise the movie that it remains a perfect showcase of the Independence Movement in the South.