Ponniyin Selvan Part 1

Ponniyin Selvan: I (2022) is a historical epic drama in Kollywood by director Mani Ratnam. It features Vikram, Aishwarya Rai, Ravi Mohan, Karthi, Trisha, Jayaram, Aishwarya Lekshmi, Sobhita Dhulipala and R. Parthiban. It is the first of two cinematic parts loosely based on Kalki Krishnamurthy's 1955 novel. The film is about Vallavaraiyan Vandiyadevan, a brave warrior and messenger, who becomes entangled in palace conspiracies threatening the Chola throne. While racing to deliver Princess Kundavai's message to Arulmozhi Varman, the young prince faces deadly conspiracies, duplicitous alliances, and a storm that will change the course of civilisations forever.

The Emperor Sundara Chola, in the 10th century, ruled the Chola Empire. In Kanchi, his elder son Aditha Karikalan commands the army, while his younger son, Arulmozhi Varman (Ponniyin Selvan), fights in Lanka. Places of worship perpetuated in stone across Asia mark the lands of the Chola Empire. Vibrant temples and majestic palaces were appropriated after the demise of Emperor Sundara’s dynasty. As a potential war grows in the south, Adithas takes the uncharacteristic route to send his trusted friend Vallavaraiyan Vandiyadevan in haste to bring messages to Princess Kundavai and the Emperor. As he allies with a brother-in-arms, he unknowingly builds paths of betrayal. On his jaunt, Vandiyadevan overhears a conspiracy led by Finance Minister Periya Pazhuvettaraiyar and a few nobles to set Madhuranthakan (the Emperor’s cousin) as the new ruler.

Now with that knowledge, Nandini (Periya Pazhuvettaraiyar’s wife and Aditha’s former love) secretly conspires her revenge from Madhuranthakan for the execution of her guardian Veerapandiyan, whom Aditha struck down in battle. Vandiyadevan alerts Kundavai, and Kundavai sends Vandiyadevan to bring Ponniyin Selvan to her. With the help of boatwoman Poonguzhali, he delivers the message. However, Periya Pazhuvettaraiyar tricks the Emperor into sending soldiers to capture Ponniyin Selvan. A secret assassin group allied with Nandini ambushes them. Mistaking Vandiyadevan for the prince, they capture him. In rescuing him, Ponniyin Selvan boards their ship, which sinks in a storm. Both vanish, presumed dead. News of Ponniyin Selvan’s death shocks the Cholas. Aditha is on the verge of confronting Nandini, and the enigmatic Oomai Rani, who looks like Nandini, plunges into the ocean, implying that the prince may not be dead yet.

Ponniyin Selvan: I is an enormous movie that combines history, politics, and human emotions into a spectacle. It has incredible sets, beautiful cinematography, and a fantastic background music score, which involves you completely in the greatness of the Chola Empire; the performances are deep and textured, which helps to establish the character and personality of each character in the film. The film has won four National Awards, which were part of the 70th National Film Awards, and is not to be missed, epitomically.