The pioneer of Indian inland navigation, again a fighter for social equality and a freedom fighter of prominence, V.O Chidambaram was a man who gave up everything for the causes that he believed in, independence and equality. The Swadeshi Steam Company still has its place firmly in the history of Tamil Nadu, so do the sufferings of Chidambaram in prison which earned him the title ‘Chekkiluththa Chemmai’. The legend was fittingly played by Sivaji Ganesan on screen to great effect.