The 'Press Act' of the British Rule was passed to regulate the extreme stance of 'India'. Bharathi was under threat of arrest. So he had to move to Pondicherry, a French territory. He lived here for 10 years. Initially the French powers, at the instance of the British, made Bharathi's life miserable. But he settled down there soon. Other friends joined him. 'India' was published again from 'exile' after a short lapse. Bharathi's friendship widened at Pondicherry. His acquaintance with people like Aurobindo and VVS Iyer had a telling effect on his literary and nationalist sensitivity. He wrote here the 'Panchali Sapatham', 'Kuil Pattu' and 'Kannan Pattu'. He also wrote an explanation for 'Bhagavat Gita' and 'Padanjali Yoga Sutra'. At the social reformation front also, he was active during this period. He conferred the rights of Brahmin to the people of the scheduled castes. He made Kanakaligam wear the sacred thread.

Tried of his life in exile, he tried to leave Pondicherry in 1918 and got arrested in the process. He was imprisoned by the British, but was released subsequently after 22 days under certain conditions. He had to go to Kadayam and live there.