Ponniyin Selvan Review: The ambitious Ponniyin Selvan: Part 1 movie, directed by Mani Ratnam, premiered on September 30 to a lot of fanfare. An epic Tamil literary novel by Kalki Krishnamurthy, which captures the power struggle that shook the Chola Dynasty, was the inspiration for this historical period-drama film. Watch the trailer here:
What is the plot for Ponniyin Selvan: Part 1?
Unfavorable news arrives in the form of a comet, which appears in the sky. Aditha Karikalan (Chiyaan Vikram) has been named the crown prince in place of the ill Sundara Chozhar (Prakash Raj). However, the people of the Chola empire and Sundara Chozhar’s second child, Kundavai (Trisha), believe that her younger brother, Arunmozhi Varman (Jayam Ravi), will become a better King.
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Based on the tip-off he received, Aditha Karikalan sends his friend and trustworthy assistant Vallavarayan Vanthiyathevan (Karthi) to Kadambur. He requests that Vanthiyathevan learn about the emerging scheme and inform Sundara Chozhar and Kundavai of it. Madhuranthagar (Rahman), the son of Sundara Chozhar’s brother, vies for the crown, sparking a power struggle. As a result of her husband Veera Pandiyan’s murder, Nandini (Aishwarya Rai Bachchan), Periya Pazhuvettaraiyar’s (Sarathkumar) wife, was wed into the Chola dynasty (opposite faction). Ponniyin Selvan’s initial section focuses on who will be successful in their quest.
Ponniyin Selvan: Cinematography and experience?
Ponniyin Selvan is highly proficient technically. The film draws us into the universe that Mani Ratnam has so carefully crafted, whether it’s through the stunning photography of Ravi Varman or the superb score by AR Rahman.
The majority of the characters—aside from Karthi’s Vanthiyathevan—do not receive a lot of screen time because Mani Ratnam squeezed three parts into a single movie (with a running time of 2 hours and 45 minutes).
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The epic’s adaption by Mani Ratnam uses a lot of visual effects and deviates from the formula for a period movie. He builds the universe of Ponniyin Selvan gradually and subtly, adding important aspects through his characters. The movie has a few memorable moments scattered throughout it. All the actors, be it Vikram, Aishwarya, Trishya, or anyone else, they have given their best. In the limited screen time they were given, the supporting cast of Prabhu, Prakash Raj, Vikram Prabhu, Kishore, Lal, Arjun Chidambaram, and Ashwin Kakumanu made their presence equally felt.
Climax leads to second part with a bang
Following the performances, AR Rahman’s outstanding background score stands out and enhances each and every scene. The way Ravi Varman illuminated the screen in Sri Lanka’s castles and jungles is evidence that he is one of the best. Ponniyin Selvan: The first instalment concludes with a bang by revealing a key character’s identity in the climax, while leading the plot for second part which will be released in 2023.
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