ps 1 movie review malayalam

'Ponniyin Selvan 1' movie review: A tasteful adaptation defined by powerful performances

I have not read Kalki’s Ponniyin Selvan , but it has always been apparent that the character of Vandhiyathevan wields great charisma. Many top actors have dreamt for years about playing this character, and now, after having watched Mani Ratnam’s Ponniyin Selvan 1 , it’s finally apparent to me why. This character, in a sense, can be likened to Rahman’s opening song, ‘Ponni Nadhi’—which heralds the beginning of his epic journey. Like the river, he flows where he wishes, and he’s a source of much life wherever he lands. Like the river shifts everything in its wake, so does he. At one point, when asked about his whereabouts, he says, “I’m from everywhere…” and talks of being able to find peace anywhere under the sky and over the land. I wondered if that’s why he doesn’t hurt when he lands from great height like a waterfall. I wondered if that’s why he’s so frightened of the ocean—you know, that place where the river dies. He’s funny, he’s flirtatious, and when he is on screen, good luck taking your eyes off him.

His interplays with actor Jayaram—who plays Azhwarkadiyan Nambi—are delightful. The latter has always been a skilled exponent at slapstick humour, and his adventures in this film offer further proof. It seems to me that sometimes, we get so consumed by Mani Ratnam’s explorations of emotion that we don’t quite acknowledge how organically he weaves in humour into his films. There are so many lively, laugh-out-loud moments in this film arising from organic exchanges—once, from Vandhiyathevan simply observing his reflection in water.

There are other performances in Ponniyin Selvan that leave you gasping for breath. Vikram, as Aditha Karikalan, is gloriously unbridled as the crown-prince. A scene where he speaks of suppressed pain sees him bare his heart out. Ahead of the film’s release, there were what seemed to me to be unfair reservations on the casting of Jayam Ravi—who has always struck me as an invested performer. He’s on point as ‘Ponniyin Selvan’, the dutiful prince who comes into the limelight later in the film.

As for the women in the Ponniyin Selvan world, it’s wonderful that despite this being a story that’s occurring a thousand years earlier, they aren’t reduced to being ornamental spouses—or as happens in many an epic historical story, a property that men fight over. Sure, a foiled romance might be at the heart of this story too, but both Nandini (Aishwarya Rai) and Kundavai (Trisha) get established as devious women who know how to create desirable outcomes in the patriarchal world around them. Among the most powerful moments in this film is when both come face-to-face. It also doubles up as an example of why Mani Ratnam is a master at creating memorable, visual drama. Another example is that introduction shot of Nandini, as she slides open the curtains of her palanquin. As an almost ethereal woman who knows how to beguile men, Aishwarya Rai is compelling. In more than one scene, we see only part of her face—perhaps because there’s more to her than she lets out?

While there’s the opulence in ornamentation and the expansiveness of palaces and forts, what’s unmistakeable is also the simplicity of an older time when the rivers ran full, and the earth had not been plundered yet. Through the shenanigans of Vandhiyathevan, we get some glimpses into the history of our land. It’s a world in which a man has to undertake an adventure of a thousand miles just to pass on the message of a dozen words. It’s a world in which a lover has to wait for weeks to learn whether her words of affection have been delivered. It’s a world in which the word ‘scroll’ has not come to signify disinterest. There’s great pleasure in seeing what once was.

There’s greater pleasure in experiencing AR Rahman climb into this film and deliver the type of songs and score he seems to always summon for this filmmaker for whom he made his debut. Be it with a ‘Ponni Nadhi’ that gently nudges us into this world or the aggressive, hyper-masculine ‘Chola Chola’ that captures the thrill of conquest, his score is a life-force. He utilises an operatic voice to present a crucial flashback moment, a grand orchestral score for the moments that lead up to it. In fact, Aditha Karikalan’s two powerful moments in this film are big beneficiaries of the Academy Award winner’s score.

For a film about succession issues, about conquests and rebellion, perhaps the action sequences aren’t as memorable as you might expect them to be. Yes, there’s urgency in capturing the violence of thundering hooves and swinging swords, but the fight choreography feels mostly generic with individual set-pieces not bursting with personality—except, I suppose, that final stretch that captures the chaos of a mad sea. And yet, PS-1 doesn’t quite end in a way that signifies the satisfying completion of a first film. It’s perhaps a consequence of Mani Ratnam interpreting this as one-half of a complete film—but given that PS-1 is packaged as a feature film lasting almost three hours, I think it’s only fair that we expect it to possess its own fulfilling end.

Perhaps the foremost pleasure of a Mani Ratnam film is in experiencing his wizardry over the medium. To use an endearing description often ascribed to Vandhiyathevan in PS-1 , a ‘maayakaaran’. You see plenty of examples in this film. The choreography and lighting in ‘Devaralan Aattam’—which, perhaps due to the location or all the backlighting, reminded me of ‘Veerapandi Kottaiyile’ from another Mani Ratnam film (it seemed like an enjoyable coincidence that an enemy king in this film is named Veera Pandiyan). How about that mythical entrance of Aditha Karikalan? Or how about that incredible pre-interval scene—a directorial masterclass really—that condenses grief and sleeplessness of years into a few minutes of dialogue? How about the monologous lament that gloriously segues into ‘Chola Chola’. Listening to this song ahead of the film’s release, you would be forgiven for expecting a track about heroism and machismo. Instead, we get one about pain and regret—and in a sense, some commentary about the cause of indiscriminate violence.

These are joys that sustain you through the less-effective portions—like the not-so-deep insight you get into many characters… yet, or the straightforward action. Even here, take one tempestuous battle as an example, which must have been quite a task to execute. While you are taking it in, it’s hard to forget you are watching a Mani Ratnam film. You notice that this isn’t a thousand men taking on another thousand men to bring an epic film to its conclusion. This is a battle much simpler in scale, and yet, much scarier to witness. For one character, in fact, it’s as much a psychological battle as it is physical. It is said that the most rousing battles are fought not on the outside but on the inside. By that account, PS-1 does present snapshots of many epic battles, with the promise of more in the second film. Consider me intrigued.

Film: Ponniyin Selvan 1

Director: Mani Ratnam

Cast: Karthi, Jayam Ravi, Vikram, Aishwarya Rai, Trisha, Jayaram

Rating: 4/5

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Ponniyin Selvan - 1 Review: Exhilarating And Enriching, With Impressive Performances By Vikram And Cast

Ponniyin selvan - 1 review: the sprawling, spectacularly mounted film is an ambitious, near-flawless adaptation of a much-loved literary work.

A still from Ponniyin Selvan 1 trailer. (courtesy: Tips Tamil )

Cast: Vikram, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Trisha, Jayam Ravi, Karthi

Director:  Mani Ratnam

Rating: 4 stars (out of 5)

Shrinking a complex five-volume novel into a two-part movie is mean feat. It takes gumption. A whole lot of it. If any director has that attribute in the requisite measure, it is Mani Ratnam. Ponniyin Selvan - Part 1 , a period epic that is vast in scale and varied in visual scope, is proof.

The sprawling, spectacularly mounted film is an ambitious, near-flawless adaptation of a much-loved literary work that demonstrates exactly why it has been a movie project so daunting that the likes of M.G. Ramachandran and Kamalahasan could only make abortive attempts at putting it together.

Needless to say, the tale makes huge technical and artistic demands on Ratnam and his cast and crew. They prove equal to the onerous task of attaining the magnitude, the pacing and the stylistic flourishes that the story demands and available image-making technology allows.

That certainly does not mean that the veteran director surrenders himself lock, stock and barrel to the lure and power of computer-generated imagery. Ratnam is too good a craftsman and storyteller to over-rely on the razzle-dazzle of the kind of unbridled visual effects that have driven recent Indian blockbusters such as Baahubali, RRR and KGF.

Ratnam does not resort to sensory or visceral overdrive, drawing strength instead from the smart script written by him, B. Jeyamohan and Elango Kumaravel and from a cast of actors at the top of their game. PS-1 is a treat for the eyes as much as it is for the mind.

He abjures VFX excesses and grounds the historical fiction in a realistic zone to achieve the goal of capturing the massive sweep of Kalki Krishnamurthy's cult 1955 novel that traces the era of the Cholas.

It has taken six and a half decades for the story to make it to the big screen. The wait has been worth it. The Tamil-language PS-1 has versions dubbed in Hindi, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam running in theatres nationwide.

In the 167-minute Ponniyin Selvan - Part 1 , some passages seem a tad rushed because the introduction of a panoply of characters and the exposition of historically dense details have to be crunched into a couple of three-hour films.

Editor A. Sreekar Prasad, whose oft-proven skills are tested to the severest, ensures that the story has just enough breathing spaces for it not to keel over into occasional incomprehensibility.

Once the prelude is out of the way and all the major characters have been lined up, PS-1 gets into the swing of things. It presents a phenomenally smooth ride through an exciting series of events - fierce battles, palace intrigue, lost love, vanquished soldiers seeking revenge, brave resistance - that records the high points of Chola history in a manner that is both tangible and texturally immersive.

The most noteworthy aspect of PS-1, besides the consistently impressive performances by a cast led by Vikram and brilliantly propped up by Karthi, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Jayam Ravi and Trisha, among others, is the production design by Thotta Tharini and the well-considered choice of locations lensed brilliantly by cinematographer Ravi Varman. The story unfolds in spaces that are eye-popping without being fantastical in the way that settings of historical epics of this nature usually tend to be.

PS-1 invokes the spatial attributes of the tenth century to perfection - be they structures made of stone, interiors of forts and palaces or ships and boats out at sea. But at no point do the images look like they have been crafted on the computer. PS-1 is a marvellously tactile film that stays rooted in a specific period without having to create improbable, cardboard cut-out sets suspended somewhere between a puerile understanding of design and a puerile imagination.

Similarly, the film's dramatis personae - the ailing Emperor Sundar Chola (Prakash Raj) and his three offspring, Crown Prince Aditha Karikalan (Vikram), his younger brother Arulmozhi Varman (Jayam Ravi, who appears late in the film in the guise of the titular character) and sister Kundhavai (Trisha), and their aides and adversaries within and without the kingdom - are never less than human.

They deal with palpable emotions even as they grapple with challenges of grand proportions. The characters, be they Chola royalty or men of common stock, sound believable even when they are in declamatory mode, moving seamlessly from uncommon wisdom to chatty banter.

With the air of outright make-believe masterfully reined in, PS-1 is a historical saga that draws the audience in without resorting to the conjurer's art. Its magic lies purely in its layered cinematic qualities.

Mischief is afoot in the expanding Chola empire with Nandini (Aishwarya Rai Bachchan), wife of the scheming finance minister Periya Pazhuvettaraiyar (R. Sharathkumar), having vowed to destroy the kingdom. She holds a personal grudge against her one-time lover Aditha Karikalan.

The conspiracy, of which the finance minister's brother and the Tanjore Fort's in-charge Chinna Pazhuvettaraiyar (Radhakrishnan Parthiban) and a host of royal chieftains are a part, is aimed at overthrowing Sundar Chola and putting his nephew Madurantaka (Rahman) on the throne.

Sensing the grave danger that lies ahead, Aditha Karikalan sends his best friend and trusted aide Vandhiyathevan (Karthi, who steals almost the entire first half of the film thanks to the character's gift of the gab and amorous antics) with a message for Emperor Sundar Chola.

The courageous and cheerful Vandhiyathevan dodges elements in the court of the king as well as of survivors from a defeated Pandiyan army who are out to avenge their slain king Veerapandyan.

While power-hungry or jilted-in-love men to a great deal of the talking, PS-1 is true to the source material in that it accords equal significance to the women in the story. Besides the beauteous and strong-willed Nandini, the tough and clear-headed Chola Princess Kundavai plays an important role as the story progresses.

Kundavai is not only sent by her father to pacify her elder brother Aditha Karikalan, she also instructs Vandhiyethevan to travel to Sinhala kingdom with a message for her brother Arulmozhi. Two other women in the plot - Vaanathi (Sobhita Dhulipala), who dreams of marrying Arulmozhi, and boatwoman Samuthirakumari (Aishwarya Lekshmi) - do not have as much to do in this part of the magnum opus. More is probably in store for them in the sequel.

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Action-packed and eventful, the first part of the drama winds up at a point of the story that leaves many questions unresolved and points to what could form the core of Ponniyin Selvan - Part 2, scheduled for release in 2023. The film inevitably packs too much into too little time but it never fails to look and sound - A.R. Rahman's songs and background score constitute the backbone of the sound design - like a meticulously conceived and executed work of cinema.

PS-1 i s both exhilarating and enriching. Another dose would be just perfect.

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Users' Reviews

Refrain from posting comments that are obscene, defamatory or inflammatory, and do not indulge in personal attacks, name calling or inciting hatred against any community. Help us delete comments that do not follow these guidelines by marking them offensive . Let's work together to keep the conversation civil.

Bibin Solomon 502 days ago

Kannan Jagannathan 538 days ago

I am disappointed by the movie. I grew up on the novel, and like so many of my age, read it a number of times in the 60s and 70s from bound volumes that my mother had made from the serialized publication in the early 50s. I just reread it after watching the movie to make sure that it wasn’t some vague nostalgia from 50 years ago. No it is not. The writing still sparkles. The writing has poetry (I don't mean just quotations of poems, Kalki's prose was poetic), subtlety of characters with complex contradictions beautifully captured in prose. All that was missing in the movie. Instead, it was black and white (metaphorically). The powerful women of the novel - Nandini, Kundavai, Poonkuzhali, Sembiyan Madeviar - are all flattened. The men of great allure in the novel - Vandiaythevan, Arulmozhy, Sendan Amuthan - have no allure in the movie. Just dull looks and bodies, and in the case of the first two, mere modern-day Tamil movie swashbuckling cartoons. Yes, Azhvarkadiyan is portrayed perfectly, but that is about it. One of Kalki’s characters describes Vandiyathevan as "Brhaspati in wisdom, Saraswati in learning, Manmata in Beauty, and Arjuna in accomplishing ends". Sorry, Karti doesn't cut it. Yes, the CGI is great, and compensates a bit for the lack of poetry. But not enough.

Daniel Constantine 547 days ago

The movie totally lacks life since the actors such as Karthi do not speak classical tamil. He simply doesn't fit in this ancient role with his too casual and contemporary acting. I wish they provided a zero rating option to totally trash this movie.

Muhammad Nezar M N 2921 552 days ago

Just an Average one. Overrated

Kaung Myat 553 days ago

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Ponniyin Selvan 1 Movie Review

Article by Suman M Published by GulteDesk --> Published on: 8:14 am, 30 September 2022 | Updated on 10:56 am, 1 October 2022

167 Mins   |   Action   |   30-09-2022

Cast - Vikram, Aishwarya Rai, Jayam Ravi, Karthi, Trisha, Aishwarya Lekshmi, Sobhita Dhulipala, Prabhu, R. Sarathkumar, Vikram Prabhu, Jayaram, Prakash Raj, Rahman, R. Parthiban

Director - Mani Ratnam

Producer - Mani Ratnam, Subaskaran Allirajah

Banner - Madras Talkies. Lyca Productions

Music - A. R. Rahman

Star filmmaker Mani Ratnam had been trying to make the movie Ponniyin Selvan for more than two decades. Finally, he could make it and release it this year. With a huge and popular star cast, Mani Ratnam made the movie in two parts. The movie is based on the book Ponniyin Selvan’ by Kalki Krishnamurthy. The first part of Ponniyin Selvan was released today. Here is the review.

What Is It About?

Adithya Karikaalan (Vikram), Arunkanimozhi aka Ponniyin Selvan (Jayam Ravi), and Kundhuvai (Trisha) are the heir of Emperor Sundara Chola (Prakash Raj) of the Chola kingdom. While the plans are in work to make Adithya Karikalan the king of the kingdom due to Sundara Chola being ill, internal conspiracies, and the ploy from Pandian rebels take the front seat to stop it. Nandhini (Aishwarya Rai), the wife of treasurer Pedda Palivettarayudu (Sarath Kumar) plays a crucial role in internal politics while Kundhuvai is intelligent enough to barricade her. How does Adhithya Karikalan’s right-hand Vallavaraya Vandiyadevudu (Karthi) help the royal siblings and how the politics lead to the unexpected, is all about PS 1.

Performances

Ponniyin Selvan has got many popular stars in it. Vikram appears in one of the very important roles, Adithya Karikaalan. He lives in the role of the Chola prince. He appears in key scenes and he does his part very well.

Karthi occupies most part of PS 1 and he did exceptionally well in the role he was given. Karthi’s character has a bit of playfulness and wit, which he carried throughout the movie. Aishwarya Rai and Trisha look stunning in the royal attires. Their performances and confrontation episodes are good to watch. Aishwarya Rai’s character has layers in itself and she handled it with ease.

Jayam Ravi, Sarath Kumar, Parthiban, Prakash Raj, Aishwarya Lekshmi, Vikram Prabhu, Prabhu, and others appear in brief roles and they did fine.

Technicalities

PS 1 has got a great story enough to make one gripping movie. It has interesting twists and political tactics, but most of them appear ordinary due to the flat narrative. The screenplay could have been better.

There are some good visuals but the movie on whole is not a visual wonder. The war sequences are typical and there is no wow factor in that too.

The graphics work could have been better and it could have made It more appealing and grand. The Background music is good. The song Ponge Nadhi is also good, but there is some unsteadiness during the songs.

Karthi, Vikram, Aishwarya Rai & Trisha Story BGM

Thumbs Down

Flat narration No Highs Visual effects

Ponniyin Selvan is the story of the Chola kingdom that shows the conspiracies and ill-minded politics that happened for the throne, some 1000 years back. The story is very sound and it has the proper conflicts to make it more interesting.

First things first, one should have a basic idea of who’s who in the film. The voice-over, in the beginning, gives a little insight but the names and places having all the Tamil native names make it tough for the unversed to connect the dots. But being a political drama, Ponniyin Selvan should be having an interesting narrative with that much-needed fervor. The director here tells the story, but the mediocre screenplay makes it more than hard to establish the emotional connection between the characters.

With many characters and each one in different places, the story had to revolve around also showing the cunning ploys in respective episodes. The subplots in some of the episodes relating to Arulmozhi in Lanka could have been cut to simple and shorter scenes. Already with the bland narration, the prolonged scenes distance us more from the actual plot.

The twists in the tale could be more intense. Most of them were just shown while the characters speak about it, without the ‘highs’ or elevations that could have made some impact. PS 1 movie many a time reminds us of the Game Of Thrones, which also revolves around many places, kingdoms, and submerged politics. PS 1 has that potential, but the ecstasy one would feel in that series is missing here.

The audience would expect the least that Vallavaraya Vandiyadevudu (Karthi) takes the front seat and most of the story is driven from his vantage point in the first half. Nandhini’s (Aishwarya Rai) multi-faceted character raises curiosity and also hints that there is more mystery to it. Kundhuvai’s (Trisha) character also is powerful with interesting instincts, which again turn ordinary. With so many wonderful actors, PS 1 had a chance to get a proper connection of two or three main characters to the audience, which did not happen due to giving prominence to the base story alone.

Overall, PS 1 has got very strong content and a talented star cast, but the dull narrative and missing emotional connection with the characters do not make it a phenomenal watch. From names to places, history to nativity, PS 1 has fair chance to connect to the Tamil audience than to the Telugu audience. Having seen the films with large scale and grandeur, like RRR and Baahubali, Ponniyin Selvan might look normal to the Telugu audience. The openings of PS 1 are huge across the globe and it has to be seen how the movie advances at the box office.

Bottomline: Powerful Content – Sluggish Narrative

Rating: 2.5/5

Tags Ponniyin Selvan Recommended

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Home » Reviews » South Indian Movie Reviews

Ponniyin Selvan 1 Movie Review: Mani Ratnam Brings Out The Divinity In Aishwarya Rai Bachchan Yet Again But Rest Everything Is Just Too Scattered

Ponniyin selvan adaptation does manage to explain why the novel is a cult, but the big show lacks the thunder it must have..

Star Cast: Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Vikram, Karthi, Jayam Ravi, Trisha Krishnan, Sobhita Dhulipala, Prakash Raj, and ensemble.

Director: Mani Ratnam

What’s Good: Mani Ratnam worshiping Aishwarya Rai and her beauty is worth in every frame he creates. It is the women actually running the show.

What’s Bad: But the way of telling this tale scatters everything and fails to collect it all in the final act, leaving a whole lot for part 2.

Loo Break: Multiple sequences seem like you have seen, use one of those.

Watch or Not?: For the grandeur and scale and the hope that there is something much better in Part 2, you must watch this one. But don’t have very high hopes.

Language: Tamil (with subtitles).

Available On: In Theatres Near You.

Runtime: 167 Minutes

Based on Kalki Krishnamurthy’s arguably cult novel by the same name, Ponniyin Selvan Part 1 is about the Chola Dynasty and the times when the course of the throne was about to change. The politics for the chair and the bad games played in the dark make for an intriguing plot.

Ponniyin Selvan 1 Movie Review: Script Analysis

Mani Ratnam movies are an experience of sheer dedication towards filmmaking and in any piece of art, the man creates you see his soul and that of a painter. So there is of course a surety that the filmmaker will never go wrong entirely in shaping a movie. While we have seen his eye for detail and what it manages to make, does Ponniyin Selvan stand true to his name?

Mani Ratnam, Jayamohan, and Kumaravel come together to adapt Kalki’s novel for the screen. The maverick filmmaker sets out with all the amazing elements to create a perfect film. There is AR Rahman composing music (their collaboration turns 30 this year), Ravi Varman capturing the world, Aishwarya Rai back to his vision (together they have worked for 25 years), and some of the biggest names from the Tamil industry. So you instantly know how big a movie it is.

But what the end product ends up being is a product that is not just scattered but also too disjointed. Imagine a season of Game Of Thrones cramped into one 3 hours long movie. The blame cannot be on the writing team entirely because Ratnam chooses to make a film out of a novel that spans a very long time and multiple houses that are at war and spread in different parts of Asia. While we are introduced to one, time doesn’t permit us to stay with them and understand, we are rushed to another and some more only to end up with confusion in names and titles.

At the core of it, Mani Ratnam wants to say that while the internal politics and the external tension around the House Chola were slowly making the base weaker, it is the women who are actually running the charade. They call Nandini the poison, but Ratnam tries to delve into her soul but is guarded by the poison. There is a certain kind of divinity around her and every presence means a massive turn. But even she falls prey to time constraints and a lot of her is pushed to the next part.

That brings me to the problems with the things pushed to Part 2. If the first part is an introduction of sorts for you, why not stretch it a bit more to hook the audience to a cliffhanger that is worth rooting for? Of course, the final still is intriguing but only for Nandini and who is the mysterious lady, but there is no curiosity for the Cholas as a whole. Because I don’t know them much other than the lazy flashbacks and their greed or worry for their house.

Ponniyin Selvan 1 Movie Review: Star Performance

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan is envisioned as a mirage that looks beautiful but is not real. Even her real life is perceived like that by many. So when Mani Ratnam places her in front of his lens you know magic is about to happen. She even manages to enthrall us with her charm but everything around her is just not it.

Karthi gets to have the longest time in front of the camera. The actor is an effortless talent and knows what is expected out of him. Bravery, where it’s needed, and humor when there is a blank space, is his job and he does pretty well. There is a flirtatious trait about him and that gives him a very fine layer.

Vikram in his wild approach to his character is in full form but it is the script that takes some bizarre decisions around him. First, it gives him minimal screen time, and second, it makes him indulge in flashbacks by making him explain them to oblivion.

Trisha Krishnan and Sobhita Dhulipala bring the charm and chirp to this story and they should have had more to give the story a good turn. Everything at this point looks too incomplete but not in a way that will make you wait for next, but be angry with the first for raising too many expectations.

Ponniyin Selvan 1 Movie Review: Direction, Music

This is not the Mani Ratnam one would expect in a movie this big. Of course, he gets back his most loved muse of 25 years, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. He even worships her as he frames every scene around her like he is shooting some angel. But the rest just lacks the Ratnam visuals we all crave for. It felt like the scenes involving Nandini were directed by the Ratnam of yore and the rest were mostly taken care by the ADs.

Barring two or three scenes none look like Mani and Ravi Varman have collaborated on them. He takes the known route, even some frames look like they are borrowed from the Sanjay Leela Bhansali universe. I understand resembles is uncanny but that doesn’t mean we don’t the wild soul of filmmaker we have admired all these years.

AR Rahman gives an album that is limited to the movie and not otherwise. I am a religious follower of this man and especially the duo who have given the Indian cinema some of its most iconic numbers. But this isn’t it. There are good pieces no doubt, the background score during the final boat battle is superb but when two legends meet your expectations only go higher.

Ponniyin Selvan 1 Movie Review: The Last Word

Ponniyin Selvan is an iconic book and one that has enthralled readers in the South for years, the adaptation does manage to explain why showing the basics, but the big show lacks the thunder it must have. Part 2 has a lot to answer and if the approach stays like the first, hopes are dim.

Ponniyin Selvan 1 Trailer

Ponniyin Selvan 1 releases on 30th September, 2022.

Share with us your experience of watching Ponniyin Selvan 1.

Want some more recommendations? Read our Chup Movie Review here.

Must Read: Dhokha Round D Corner Movie Review: A Costly Crime Patrol Episode Where Only Aparshakti Khurana Took The Assignment Seriously & Rest Were Just Clueless

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Ponniyin Selvan: Part Two

Arulmozhi Varman continues on his journey to become Rajaraja I, the greatest ruler of the historic Chola empire of south India. Arulmozhi Varman continues on his journey to become Rajaraja I, the greatest ruler of the historic Chola empire of south India. Arulmozhi Varman continues on his journey to become Rajaraja I, the greatest ruler of the historic Chola empire of south India.

• Mani Ratnam
• Sruti Harihara Subramanian
• Divya Prakash Dubey
• Kalki Krishnamoorthy
• 102 User reviews
• 28 Critic reviews
• 6 nominations

• Aditha Karikalan

• Vallavaraiyan Vandiyadevan

• Arunmozhi Varman

• Oomai Rani …

• Poonguzhali

• Azhwarkadiyan Nambi

• Periya Pazhuvettaraiyar
• (as Sarath Kumar)

• Chinna Pazhuvettaraiyar

• Periya Vellar Boothi Vikramakesari

• Sundara Chozhan

• Madurantakar

• Sambuvuraiyar

• Veerapandiyan

• Parthibendra Pallavan
• Sruti Harihara Subramanian (Promo Videos Director)
• All cast & crew
• Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

More like this

Did you know

• Trivia Parthibendra Pallavan's character has a unique armor in this film - made of scaled leather, shiny and much like a snake's scaly skin. Perhaps, this is an indication of the Pallavas' mythical link to the "Nagas" in history.
• Goofs Aditta Karikala went to warfare at the age of twelve, and the child artist who depicts him looked much older while depicting this.

Parthibendra Pallavan : Aditta, you are the future of the Chozha kingdom. To protect that future, Nandini Devi invited you to Kadambur

Aditha Karikalan : To Kadambur? To the place of conspiracy? Are you the messenger for this? Has that plotter captured you too? Have you fallen into her magic net?

Parthibendra Pallavan : Aditha! I am your lifelong friend. I have entered the battlefields for you. If needed, I'll enter again... For my friend's future, for the future of Chozha kingdom, you need to come with me

Aditha Karikalan : Parthiba... What did she say? Tell me exactly

Parthibendra Pallavan : That you would come if she was the one who invited

• Soundtracks Aga Naga Song Composed, Produced and Arranged by A.R. Rahman Singer: Shakthisree Gopalan Lyrics: Ilango Krishnan

Technical specs

• Runtime 2 hours 44 minutes
• IMAX 6-Track
• Dolby Digital
• Dolby Surround 7.1
• Dolby Atmos

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PONNIYIN SELVAN PART 1 MOVIE REVIEW CLICK TO RATE THE MOVIE

Ponniyin Selvan - Part 1 is a film written by Mani Ratnam, Elango Kumaravel, B Jeyamohan and directed by Mani Ratnam. The film is based on Kalki's magnum opus, Ponniyin Selvan and has Vikram, Aishwarya Rai, Jayam Ravi, Karthi, Trisha, Vikram Prabhu, Sobhitha Dhulipala, Aishwarya Lekshmi, Sarathkumar, Prakash Raj, Prabhu, Jayaram and others in the lead roles. PS is bankrolled by Mani Ratnam and Subaskaran under the banners Madras Talkies and Lyca Productions respectively.

Aditha Karikalan (Vikram) has just won a battle against the Rashtrakutas up north, and sends his friend Vanthiyathevan (Karthi) to deliver a message to his sister Princess Kundhavai (Trisha) and father Sundara Chozhan (Prakash Raj). The film follows the adventures of Vanthiyathevan, as he is assigned more duties by Kundhavai, and Arunmozhi Varman (Jayam Ravi). Meanwhile, there's a conspiracy happening at Thanjavur involving the Chozha Throne and the chieftains headed by Periya Pazhuvettaraiyar (Sarathkumar) and his brother Chinna Pazhuvettaraiyar (Parthiban).

Probably the most exciting element about Ponniyin Selvan - Part 1 is the story itself. Upon watching the film, one might finally get the answer to the question why is Ponniyin Selvan one of the best selling novels in the country. Right from the word Go, there is a natural tension that is present in each scene, keeping us on the edge of our seats.

When we watch thriller movies, as audiences it is natural that we start solving the cases in our minds. Similarly, whenever a new character that appears on screen, we start looking at them with a sense of suspicion. Are they going to plot against the Chozhas or are they part of the same team. Such questions add on to the excitement.

While it's certainly difficult to execute a film on this scale, for a director like Mani Ratnam, who has a strong sense of aesthetics, conceiving the scenes and getting the job done from actors shouldn't have been a difficult task. This is because he is surrounded by a set of technicians who've proven their worth multiple times. He is aided by AR Rahman whose score and songs like Devaralan Aattam, Ponni Nadhi give you goosebumps multiple times.

The cinematography reflects the nature of the plot very well. Since the entire plot revolves around the fight for the throne, the kingdom of Chozhas is unstable. Ravi Varman's camera too doesn't stand at one place for most of the film. It keeps moving, and it's a bit unconventional as well because usually you expect some scenes to be shot while the camera is still. This innovation pays off well. Art Director Thota Tharani's work also deserves lot of praise, as he has put so much work into bringing the palace of Chozhas into life.

The film gets its casting on point with each actor fitting their character to the T, and they all emote so well. Vikram gets a meaty scene to showcase all his acting capabilities in the interval block, Jayam Ravi looks super perfect as Arunmozhi Varman, while Karthi is the one who carries the film throughout.

Aishwarya Rai as Nandhini is an apt cast and she has pulled off the role with negative shade convincingly well. Trisha gets a meaty role as Kundhavai and looks stunning in every frame in her career best role till date.

Even the junior artists' add so much value to the film. If at all there's something wrong with the film, the runtime could test the patience. Barring that the film gets almost everything right, is close to a perfect adaptation of the book. The wait for the Part 2 has already began with the surprise end twist.

PONNIYIN SELVAN PART 1 VIDEO REVIEW

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REVIEW RATING EXPLANATION

பிரேக்கிங் சினிமா செய்திகள், திரை விமர்சனம், பாடல் விமர்சனம், ஃபோட்டோ கேலரி, பாக்ஸ் ஆபிஸ் செய்திகள், ஸ்லைடு ஷோ, போன்ற பல்வேறு சுவாரஸியமான தகவல்களை தமிழில் படிக்க இங்கு கிளிக் செய்யவும்      

PONNIYIN SELVAN PART 1 NEWS STORIES

பொன்னியின் செல்வன் படத்தின் FDFS.. ரசிகர்கள் மத்தியில் குடும்பத்துடன் படம் பார்த்த ஜெயம் ரவி!

PS1 : "ட்ரெய்லர்ல வந்தது இந்த பாட்டு தானா..?" - தட்டி தூக்கிட்டு வந்த மணிரத்னம் & ARR .. நெகிழும் Fans

PS 1 : "‘நந்தினி’ ஐஸ்வர்யா ராயுடன் காதல் காட்சிகளில் நடிக்க தயக்கமா?".. 'பெரிய பழுவேட்டரையர்' சரத்.!

Ponniyin Selvan : "அத்தன பேரும் ஒரிஜினல் நகை போட்டு நடிச்சோம்".. 'பெரிய பழுவேட்டரையர்' சரத் சொன்ன காரணம்.!

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Ponniyin Selvan Part 1 (aka) PS-I

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Ponniyin Selvan 1 (PS1) Movie Review

Average Ratings: 3.28/5 Score: 100% Positive Reviews Counted:8 Positive:6 Neutral:1 Negative:1

Ratings: Negative Sentiment  Review By: Komal Nahta Site: Zee ETC Bollywood Business

Mani Ratnams direction is good as far as technique is concerned, but he has not been able to penetrate into peoples hearts with his narration. In that sense, his narration fails to engage the viewers. On the whole, Ponniyin Selvan I is a boring fare which will not find too many takers among the Hindi film-going audiences. Its Hindi dubbed version will, therefore, flop at the ticket windows.

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Ratings: 4/5  Review By: Kirubhakar Site: Indian Express

The difference between Mani Ratnams brand of commercial films and the rest becomes evident with Ponniyin Selvan. He doesnt make demi-gods out of his heroes, they are just kings. Also, the filmmaker respects the audience. and thats why PS 1 is rewarding. He also understands that Ponniyin Selvan is itself a mainstream page-turner that panders to the audience. Hence, he neither dumbs it down nor intellectualizes it. Instead, he retains the flavour of the widely-enjoyed book in this thoroughly enjoyable film.

Ratings: 2.5/5  Review By: Shubham Site: Koimoi

Ponniyin Selvan is an iconic book and one that has enthralled readers in the South for years, the adaptation does manage to explain why showing the basics, but the big show lacks the thunder it must have. Part 2 has a lot to answer and if the approach stays like the first, hopes are dim.

Ratings: 3.5/5  Review By: Suganth Site:Times Of India

Mani Ratnam finally brings the dream alive with this spectacular adaptation that superbly captures the intrigue, thrills and page-turning quality of the books. In this first of a two-part franchise, the director and his writers €” Jeyamohan and Ilango Kumaravel €” rise up to the challenge. The manner in which they have condensed the novel is admirable, with the changes €” like Kundhavai storming into a secret discussion, the introduction of Ponniyin Selvan’s mysterious saviour – adding to the momentum of the narrative. Jeyamohan’s dialogues are especially a highlight as he uses language that is both classical and colloquial without making it seem odd.

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Ratings: 3/5  Review By: Janani Site:India Today

The film, a historical fiction, is adapted from Kalki Krishnamurthys epic Tamil literary novel that encapsulates the power struggle that rattled the Chola Dynasty. Mani Ratnams adaptation of the epic is high on VFX and does not follow the usual template of a period film. He takes his own sweet time to build the world of Ponniyin Selvan and throws in crucial details through his characters matter-of-factly.Ponniyin Selvan: Part 1 ends on a high as it reveals the identity of an important character. That sets the tone for the second part, which will release in 2023.

Ratings: 3.25/5  Review By: Behindwoods Review Board Site:Behindwoods

Probably the most exciting element about Ponniyin Selvan – Part 1 is the story itself. Upon watching the film, one might finally get the answer to the question why is Ponniyin Selvan one of the best selling novels in the country. Right from the word Go, there is a natural tension that is present in each scene, keeping us on the edge of our seats.

Ratings: 3.75/5  Review By: Siddarth Site:OnlyKollywood

On the whole, Ponniyin Selvan 1 is a film that delivers just what we expected a drama that stays true to its source material. Mani Ratnam decides to do it in his way and that drives down the potential excitement that could have been explored, but nevertheless, this is stuff worth watching on the big screen at least once.

Ratings: 3/5  Review By: MovieCrow Site:Movie Crow

Your experience could largely vary depending on your familiarity with Kalki’s novel. PS 1 is largely condensed, and plot driven. So, the emotions of characters and the significance of crucial events dont register as impactfully as one would have liked. But it also has some other things going for it. It delivers on the joys of watching a big scale movie with a studded star cast. Most importantly, it remains engaging despite the lack of high moments and has us anticipating the second part!

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Ponniyin Selvan 1 Story:

Ponniyin Selvan: Part 1 story revolves around Vandiyathevan, a charming young man who sets out to the Chola land to deliver a message to the King and the Princess from the Crown Prince Aditya Karikalan. The story shuttles between Vandiyathevan’s travels in Chola country and the young Prince Arulmozhivarman’s travels in Sri Lanka.

Ponniyin Selvan 1 Release Date:

Sep 30, 2022 ( India) straight to Theaters

Ponniyin Selvan 1 Cast:

Vikram Aishwarya Rai Bachchan Jayam Ravi Karthi Trisha Aishwarya Lekshmi Sobhita Dhulipala Prabhu R. Sarathkumar Vikram Prabhu Jayaram Prakash Raj Rahman R. Parthiban

Ponniyin Selvan 1 Director: 

Mani Ratnam

Ponniyin Selvan 1 Producer: 

Mani Ratnam Subaskaran Allirajah

Ponniyin Selvan 1 Production Companies:

Madras Talkies Lyca Productions

Ponniyin Selvan 1 Distribution Companies:

Red Giant Movies (Tamil Nadu) Sri Venkateswara Creations (Andhra Pradesh & Telangana) Sree Gokulam Movies (Kerala) Pen India Limited (North India) Lyca Productions in association with Tentkotta (Overseas)

Ponniyin Selvan 1 Run Time: 

2 Hours 47 Minutes (167 minutes)

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Ponniyin Selvan: FDFS, Plot, Censor, Runtime & More

Published date : 29/sep/2022.

Mani Ratnam directed period drama Ponniyin Selvan: Part One ( PS1 ) is all set to release in theaters tomorrow and here is all you need to know about the movie: 

• Release Date : September 30, 2022 (Friday)
• First Show (FDFS) :  4: 30 AM IST
• Language : Tamil, Telugu (Dubbed), Hindi (Dubbed), Malayalam (Dubbed), Kannada (Dubbed)
• Title : Ponniyin Selvan: Part One  (Tamil), PS-I  (Hindi, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada)
• Genre : Historical Drama, Action, Adventure
• Censor : U/A
• First Half : 1 hour 21 minutes
• Second Half : 1 hour 25 minutes
• Plot :  Vandiyathevan, a brave and brilliant young man sets out to cross the Chola land to deliver a message from the Crown Prince Aditha Karikalan. The narrative deals with attempts by his sister Kundavai to bring back Arulmozhivarman to establish political peace, in a land beset with unrest and civil war plotted by vassals and petty chieftains.

• Vikram - Adhitha Karkilan,  crown prince and the commander of Northern troops in Sundara Chola's Reign. Eldest son of Sundara Chola. Arulmozhivarman and Kundavai's elder brother.
• Aishwarya Rai Bachchan (Dual Roles) - Nandini (Antagonist), wife of Periya Pazhuvettaraiyar, Aditha Karikalan's former love interest/ Mandakini - Nandini's deaf and mute mother
• Jayam Ravi - Arummozhi Varman aka Ponniyin Selvan. Youngest son of Sundara Chola. Aditya Karikalan and Kundavai's younger brother.
• Karthi - Vanthiyathevan, W arrior prince of Vaanar Clan, Adhitha Karikalan's trusted aide
• Trisha - Kundavai,  Chola princess, daughter of Sundara Chola and Vanthiyathevan's love interest.
• Jayaram - Azhwarkadiyan Nambi, A spy who works for the Chola clan's prime minister 
• Prakash Raj - King Sundara Chola, a bed-ridden character at Thanjavur fort
• R. Pathiepan -  Chinna Pazhuvettaraiyar, the chief in-charge of Thanjavur fort
• Sarathkumar -  Periya  Pazhuvettaraiyar , chancellor and treasurer of the Chola kingdom
• Aishwarya Lekshmi - Poonguzhali, a boatwoman
• Shobita Dhulipala - Vaanathi, Arunmozhi's love interest
• Rahman -  Madurantaka Uttama Chola
• Nasser - Veera Pandian, Panya King
• Kishore -  Ravi Dasan, antagonist
• Story : Kalki Krishnamurthy
• Screenplay : Mani Ratnam, Elango Kumaravel, B. Jeyamohan
• Dialogues : B. Jeyamohan
• Direction : Mani Ratnam
• Music : AR Rahman
• Sound Design : Anand Krishnamoorthi
• Lyrics :  Ilango Krishnan, Kabilan, Siva Ananth, Krithika Nelson
• Audio/Music Label : Tips
• Cinematography : Ravi Varman
• Edit : A Sreekar Prasad
• Art/Production Design : Thotta Tharani
• Choreography : Brinda Master
• Action :  Kecha Khamphakdee, Sham Kaushal
• VFX :  NYVFXWaala
• DI : Red Chillies Color
• Costume Design :  Eka Lakhani,  Chandrakant Sonawane (Additional)
• Hair & Make Up : Vikram Gaikwad
• Jewellery : Kishandas & Co
• Production : Lyca Productions, Madras Talkies
• OTT (Post-Theatrical) : Amazon Prime Video
• Satellite (Post Theatrical) : Sun Network

Also Read :     reasons-to-watch-ponniyin-selvan       ps1-swot-analysis

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