"Andha Naal", a movie in 1954 by Sivaji set a new trend with no songs. The same year he acted along with Revolutionary leader M.G.Ramachandran in the movie "Koondukkili". His role in the movie "Veerapandiya Kattabomman" won him "Best actor" award at Afro-Asian Film Festival held at Cairo in March 1960. He was the first Indian to get the award abroad. 