Kappalottiya Thamizhan

Kappalottiya Thamizhan
Promotional poster
Directed by	B. R. Panthulu
Produced by	B. R. Panthulu
Written by	S. D. Sundharam (dialogues)
Screenplay by	'Chithra' Krishnaswamy
Story by	Ma. Po. Sivagnanam
Starring	Sivaji Ganesan Gemini Ganesan Savitri S. V. Ranga Rao S. A. Ashokan S. V. Subbaiah
Music by	G. Ramanathan
Cinematography	W. R. Subba Rao Karnan
Edited by	R. Devarajan
Production company	Padmini Pictures
Distributed by	Sivaji Productions
Release date	7 November 1961
Running time	177 mins
Country	India
Language	Tamil

Kappalottiya Thamizhan (English: The Tamilian who launched a Ship) is a 1961 Indian Tamil-language Indian drama film directed by B. R. Panthulu. The film features Sivaji Ganesan and Gemini Ganesan in the lead roles, while S. V. Subbaiah, T. K. Shanmugham, S. V. Ranga Rao, Savitri and S. A. Ashokan appear in supporting roles. The film is based on the biography of V. O. Chidambaram Pillai written by Ma. Po. Si. (M. P. Sivagnanam). Chidambaram Pillai, founded the Swadeshi Stream Navigation Company to break the monopoly of the British over maritime trade out of India. Upon release, the film received critical acclaim and was adjudged the Best Tamil Film at the 9th National Film Awards, however it failed at the box office.

V. O. Chidambaram Pillai has devoted himself to the cause of India's freedom from the British. Chidambaram, appearing for the peasant Madasami, wins a case filed by an agent of a British proprietor. Chidambaram's father, who appeared for the agent, sends his son to Thoothukudi lest the British proprietor should give him any trouble. Madasami who accompanies Chidambaram, looks after the latter's salt -pan. At Thoothukudi, Chidambaram meets Subramaniya Siva, a freedom fighter and works for the Swadeshi movement. Chidambaram receives a complaint from some of the local merchants that the British Shipping Company had refused to load their goods. Against great odds, Chidambaram starts the National Shipping Company with Indian Capital to free Indian trade from dependence on foreign liners. The company prospers despite attempts by the British Company to sabotage the ship of the Indian firm. Chidambaram incurs the displeasure of the Government by organising a strike for getting the grievances of the local coral mill workers redressed and by organising public celebrations to mark the release of Bipin Chandra Pal in contravention of a prohibitory order.