It is based on the 1944 book of the same name by M. P. Sivagnanam, a biography of V. O. Chidambaram Pillai who founded the Swadeshi Stream Navigation Company to break the monopoly of the British over maritime trade out of India.

Though it performed poorly at the box office during its initial release, it fared better after receiving tax exemption during its re-release 1967.

Some time later, the new District Collector Ashe is shot dead by a patriotic Vanchinathan, who commits suicide before the police can reach him.

Chidambaram emerges from the prison a broken man only to witness a series of disappointments – Chidambaram's brother has become insane, Siva is a victim of leprosy contracted during his term in prison, people have forgotten him and his role in the Indian independence movement, the National Shipping Company is bought by its British rival and leaders like Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Bharathiyar die one after another.

On 14 January 1960, Kappalottiya Thamizhan, a biopic of V. O. Chidambaram Pillai, was announced, to be produced and directed by B. R. Panthulu under Padmini Pictures.

[8] S. V. Subbaiah was cast as the poet Subramania Bharati alias Bharathiyar, taking inspiration from his role as Kavi Anandar from the play Kaviyin Kanavu (1945).

[9] V. Nagayya who was then in "dire straits", was signed up for a significant role, that of Ulaganathan Pillai, as Panthulu wanted to give him a "break in films".

[5][15] Kappalottiya Thamizhan was released on 7 November 1961,[16][17] and failed commercially, losing ₹7 lakh (worth ₹29 crore in 2021 prices).

He also stated that he was not upset for losing money making the film to kindle the national spirit, but rather happy that he could harness the medium to remind people of the Indian freedom fighters of the bygone era.

[24][25] Kalki praised Krishnaswamy's writing, and compared the film favourably to Veerapandiya Kattabomman (1959), another biopic also directed by Panthulu and starring Ganesan.