Film Review: Ponniyin Selvan: Part One
11.10.2022 - 20:17
/ variety.com
Shalini Dore Features News Editor Filmmaker Mani Ratnam has taken on the epic task of adapting Tamil bestseller “Ponniyin Selvan” into two parts, the first of which released to excellent box office in India and overseas on Sept. 29. The film, with screenplay by Ratnam, Jayamohan and Kumaravel, is mostly faithful to Kalki Krishnamurthy’s five novels, the trio has streamlined the historical fiction first serialized in the 1950s in the Tamil magazine Kalki before being translated into multiple other languages, including English. They were based on the great ruler Raja Raja Chola (Chola, king of kings), who expanded his empire from modern-day Tamilnadu all the way north to the Ganges.
The end result is epic with great battles on land and sea, accompanied by the music of Oscar winner A.R. Rahman (“Slumdog Millionaire”). The spy vs. spy nature of the story frequently resembles a 12th century Bourne tale, but interspersed with song and dance.
In the 11th and 12th centuries, Southern India was ruled by the Cheras, Cholas, Pandyas, Pallavas, Hoysalas and other dynasties. The film opens on the Chola crown prince Aditha Karikalan (Vikram) and his army being victorious on the field. Aditha sends his faithful aide Vallavaraiyan Vandiyadevan (Karthi) to see what is happening in his father’s palace where Chola chieftains are gathering for a secret meeting. Vandiyadevan soon falls in with a religious man Azhwarkadiyan Nambi (Jayaram), who while providing some comic relief is another spy. They discover a plot to take the crown from the ailing king Sundara Chola and give it to his nephew, who had been passed over. Among those trying to use Vandiyadevan is the beautiful Nandini (Aishwariya Rai Bachchan), who uses her looks to get her
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