After the massive success of ‘Ponniyin Selvan’ at the box office, fans have been eagerly waiting for its sequel ‘Ponniyin Selvan 2’ to hit the theatres. The wait is finally over as the makers have announced that the film will be released on April 28, 2023. The trailer and audio launch of the film is expected to take place on March 29 in Chennai, though an official announcement is yet to be made. The historic epic drama, which is an adaptation of Kalki Krishnamurthy’s novel, is directed by Mani Ratnam and features a star-studded cast including Vikram, Karthi, Jayam Ravi, Trisha, and Aishwarya Rai in lead roles, with several other talented actors in supporting roles. The music for the film is composed by AR Rahman, and fans are eagerly anticipating the release of the first single from ‘Ponniyin Selvan 2’ in the coming weeks.

Ponniyin Selvan is a 2022 Indian Tamil-language epic historical action adventure film directed by Mani Ratnam, based on Kalki Krishnamurthy’s 1955 novel Ponniyin Selvan. The film stars an ensemble cast including Vikram, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Jayam Ravi, Karthi, Trisha, Jayaram, Aishwarya Lekshmi, Sobhita Dhulipala, Prabhu, R. Sarathkumar, Vikram Prabhu, Prakash Raj, Rahman, R. Parthiban and Lal. The film was produced by Ratnam and Subaskaran Allirajah under Madras Talkies and Lyca Productions.

Ponniyin Selvan: I dramatize the early life of Chola prince Arulmozhi Varman, who would become the renowned emperor Rajaraja I. The plot revolves around the conspiracy of ministers to stop Aditha Karikalan, the elder son of Emperor Sundara Chozhar, from ascending the throne and install his uncle Madhurantaka Chola on it. The Vaanar Clan’s prince Vallavaraiyan Vandiyadevan, who is Aditha Karikalan’s friend, investigates and relays the news to his sister Princess Kundavai and Sundara Chozhar.

The film was a long-awaited adaptation of the popular Tamil novel Ponniyin Selvan. Ever since its publication, a film adaptation of the novel had been explored by several Tamil filmmakers, including an attempt by M. G. Ramachandran in the late 1950s. However, it never materialized due to financial constraints. Decades later, Ratnam attempted to adapt the novel in the late-1980s and early-2010s but was unsuccessful. Calling it his “dream project”, Ratnam revived the effort in January 2019, after Lyca agreed to fund the film.

The film received acclaim from film critics for its direction, cast performances, musical score, visuals and faithfulness to the novel. Breaking several box-office records, the film grossed more than ₹500 crore (US$63 million) and became the highest-grossing Tamil film of 2022, the fourth-highest-grossing Tamil film of all time and the 15th highest-grossing Indian film of all time. It received six nominations at the 16th Asian Film Awards, including Best Film.

The music was composed by A. R. Rahman, with cinematography by Ravi Varman, editing by A. Sreekar Prasad, and production design by Thota Tharani. 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.

Ponniyin Selvan: I is a visual masterpiece that captivates the audience from beginning to end. The movie’s cast is a who’s who of the Tamil film industry, with actors like Vikram, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Jayam Ravi, and Karthi delivering memorable performances. The film’s music is also a highlight, with A. R. Rahman’s score perfectly complementing the on-screen action.

The rest of the movie revolves around the power struggle within the Chola dynasty and the efforts of Ponniyin Selvan and his allies to protect the empire from internal and external threats. The movie features breathtaking battle sequences, stunning visual effects, and powerful performances by the ensemble cast. The music by A.R. Rahman adds to the grandeur of the movie and elevates the emotions of the characters.

The success of Ponniyin Selvan: I has generated high anticipation for the second part, which is currently in post-production. Fans are eagerly waiting to see the continuation of the epic story and witness the fate of their favorite characters. The movie has also sparked a renewed interest in Kalki Krishnamurthy’s novel, which has been widely regarded as one of the greatest works of Tamil literature.

Ponniyin Selvan: I is a landmark movie in Tamil cinema and a testament to the skill and vision of Mani Ratnam. The movie brings to life the grandeur and complexity of the Chola dynasty and captures the essence of Kalki Krishnamurthy’s epic novel. With its stellar cast, magnificent visuals, and exceptional music, Ponniyin Selvan: I is a must-watch for all fans of historical dramas and Tamil cinema.