The on-screen 'Bandit Queen'

The film made Devi a cause celebre around the world

India's most famous outlaw, who was shot dead on Wednesday, found international fame when her story was chronicled in a 1994 film.

Bandit Queen told the story of Phoolan Devi and propelled the lower-caste woman who was alleged to have killed 22 upper-caste men to worldwide recognition.

Phoolan Devi - an MP - was shot by unknown assailants

Director Shekhar Kapoor too was set on the road to fame.

Ms Devi subsequently stood for parliament and became an MP.

Kapoor went on to direct the Oscar nominated Elizabeth with Cate Blanchett and his latest film - a remake of The Four Feathers with Kate Hudson and Wes Bentley - is set for release later this year.

Bandit Queen was based on a biography of Devi written by the London based writer Mala Sen, who interviewed her extensively.

Bandit Queen was popular in India

There have been several books on the subject and depending on which account one believes she machine-gunned the men in revenge for a violent rape she suffered or in revenge for the murder of her lover.

The film, which was extremely popular amongst low-caste audiences in India, depicts Ms Devi's rape as its pivotal moment and the reason for her subsequent violence.

At its Indian premiere Kapoor asked the audience to stand in protest at the censorship of the film, which he said lessened the central message about the suffering of low-caste Indians and particularly low-caste women.

Director Shekhar Kapoor is a former actor and accountant

Bandit Queen did come in for criticism for its depiction of Devi as a great beauty, when in fact she was an ordinary Indian woman.

Ms Devi subsequently said that her exploits were exaggerated in the film and that she never even knew how to fire a gun.

At one point she threatened to file a lawsuit to keep Bandit Queen out of Indian cinemas, but she joined Kapoor for the premiere.

Regardless of the veracity of the tale, the film was the toast of Cannes and seen as a powerful examination of caste discrimination, human suffering, and the role of women in India's changing culture.