Ponniyin Selvan: I

About the film

Ponniyin Selvan: I (PS-1, transl. The Son of Ponni) is a 2022 Indian Tamil-language epic historical fiction action drama film directed by Mani Ratnam, who co-wrote it with Elango Kumaravel and B. Jeyamohan. Produced by Ratnam and Subaskaran Allirajah under Madras Talkies and Lyca Productions, it is the first of two cinematic parts loosely based on Kalki Krishnamurthy's 1955 novel, Ponniyin Selvan. The film stars an ensemble cast including Vikram, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Karthi, Ravi Mohan (as the title character), Trisha Krishnan, Jayaram, Aishwarya Lekshmi, Sobhita Dhulipala, Prakash Raj, Prabhu, R. Sarathkumar, R. Parthiban, Jayachitra, Rahman, Lal, Vikram Prabhu and others. The music was composed by A. R. Rahman, with cinematography by Ravi Varman, editing by A. Sreekar Prasad, and production design by Thota Tharani. Ponniyin Selvan: I dramatises the early life of Chola prince Arulmozhi Varman, who would become the renowned emperor Rajaraja I (947–1014). In the film, Vandiyathevan sets out to cross the Chola land to deliver a message from the crown prince Aditha Karikalan. Meanwhile, Kundavai attempts to establish political peace as vassals and petty chieftains plot against the throne.

Ever since its publication, a film adaptation of the novel Ponniyin Selvan had been explored by several Tamil filmmakers, including an attempt by M. G. Ramachandran in the late 1950s; however, it never materialised. Decades later, Ratnam attempted to adapt the novel in the late-1980s and early-2010s but was unsuccessful due to financial constraints. He eventually managed to revive the effort in January 2019, after Lyca agreed to fund the film. Following several changes in cast and crew, production of Ponniyin Selvan began in December 2019 and concluded in September 2021, halting twice due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The film was shot in various locations across India, with a few sequences in Thailand. It was originally intended to be a single film but was split into two parts.

Plot

In the 10th century, the Chola Empire enjoys unprecedented expansion under the ailing Emperor Sundara Chola. His eldest son, Crown Prince Aditha Karikalan, commands the northern front from Kanchi, while his younger son, Arulmozhi Varman, leads an imperial military expedition in Lanka. Following a decisive victory over the rival Rashtrakuta dynasty, Karikalan senses an impending domestic coup. He dispatches his charismatic, trusted lieutenant, Vallavaraiyan Vandiyadevan, a prince of the fallen Vana clan, on a clandestine mission to investigate the political climate, ordering him to deliver critical messages to Sundara Chola in Thanjavur and Karikalan's sister, Princess Kundavai, in Pazhayarai.

During his journey, Vandiyadevan secures lodging at the fort of a Chola vassal in Kadambur. There, he uncovers a treasonous council orchestrated by Periya Pazhuvettaraiyar, the imperial finance minister, and several disgruntled chieftains. The conspirators plot to bypass Karikalan and elevate Madhurantakan, the emperor's cousin, to the Chola throne upon Sundara Chola's death. In tandem, Vandiyadevan encounters Azhwarkkadiyan Nambi, a traveling Vaishnavite spy who is tracking his estranged foster sister, Nandini. Nandini, harboring a deep-seated hatred for the Chola royal bloodline, has climbed the ranks of power by marrying the much older Periya Pazhuvettaraiyar, using her position to manipulate the council of conspirators from the shadows.

Utilizing a royal signet ring deceitfully obtained through Nandini, Vandiyadevan gains entry into the heavily guarded palace of Thanjavur. He successfully warns a bedridden Sundara Chola of the impending subversion. Chinna Pazhuvettaraiyar, the commander of the Thanjavur fort and Periya Pazhuvettaraiyar's brother, suspects Vandiyadevan's motives and orders his arrest, but he escapes. Vandiyadevan flees to Pazhayarai and briefs Princess Kundavai, who resides alongside Queen Mother Sembiyan Madevi and Princess Vaanathi. Recognizing the severe danger to the dynasty, Kundavai instructs Vandiyadevan to travel to Lanka immediately to escort Arulmozhi Varman back to the capital to stabilize the kingdom.

Music

The film score and soundtrack were composed by Mani Ratnam's regular collaborator A. R. Rahman. The audio rights of the film were purchased by Tips.

The soundtrack consists of six original songs composed by A.R.Rahman, namely, "Ponni Nadhi", "Chola Chola", "Ratchasa Maamaney", "Sol", "Alaikadal" and "Devaralan Aattam". Lyrics were written by Ilango Krishnan, Kabilan, Krithika Nelson and Siva Ananth in the Tamil version and Mehboob Kotwal, Anantha Sriram, Rafeeq Ahamed and Jayanth Kaikini wrote the song lyrics in Hindi, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada respectively.

Marketing

Promotional campaign for the film was supposed to begin in July 2022, with the film's teaser trailer planned to be launched at the Brihadisvara Temple in Thanjavur, the city which served as the capital for the Chola Empire. Following the launch event, the team also planned a promotional tour for the film. The movie team later on decided to have a grand teaser trailer launch event in Chennai as per their previous schedule on 8 July 2022. The film's teaser trailer was released on 8 July 2022 in Tamil and dubbed versions of Hindi, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada languages.

Key details