Ponniyin Selvan: I

Ponniyin Selvan: I
Theatrical release poster
Directed byMani Ratnam
Screenplay byMani Ratnam
Elango Kumaravel
B. Jeyamohan
Story byKalki Krishnamurthy
Based onPonniyin Selvan
by Kalki Krishnamurthy
Produced by
Starring
Narrated byKamal Haasan
CinematographyRavi Varman
Edited byA. Sreekar Prasad
Music byA. R. Rahman
Production
companies
Distributed byRed Giant Movies
Release date
  • 30 September 2022 (2022-09-30)
Running time
167 minutes[1]
CountryIndia
LanguageTamil
BudgetSee production
Box officeest. ₹450–500 crore[a]

Ponniyin Selvan: I (PS-1, transl. The Son of Ponni) is a 2022 Indian Tamil-language epic 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 based on Kalki Krishnamurthy's 1955 novel, Ponniyin Selvan. The film stars an ensemble cast including Vikram, Karthi, Jayam Ravi, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Trisha, Jayaram, Aishwarya Lekshmi, Sobhita Dhulipala, Prakash Raj, Prabhu, R. Sarathkumar, R. Parthiban, Rahman, Lal and Vikram Prabhu.[5] 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 Arunmozhi Varman, who would become the renowned emperor Rajaraja I (947–1014).[6] 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.

Ponniyin Selvan: I was released in theatres worldwide on 30 September 2022 in standard and IMAX formats. It received acclaim from critics. The film grossed ₹450–500 crore worldwide, becoming the highest-grossing Tamil film of 2022, third-highest-grossing Indian film of 2022. The film is currently the fourth highest-grossing Tamil film of all time. The film received six nominations at the 16th Asian Film Awards, including Best Film. The sequel detailing the remaining part of the story, Ponniyin Selvan: II, released on 28 April 2023.[7] It won the Best Tamil film award at the 68th Filmfare Awards.[8]

  1. ^ "Mani Ratnam's 'Ponniyin Selvan' first part run time revealed". The Times of India. 27 August 2022. Archived from the original on 27 August 2022. Retrieved 27 August 2022.
  2. ^ "இந்த ஆண்டு வெளியான தமிழ்ப் படங்களில் பாக்ஸ் ஆபீஸ் கலெக்‌ஷனில் அசத்திய டாப் 10 படங்கள்". Zee News (in Tamil). 30 December 2022. Archived from the original on 11 August 2023. Retrieved 19 August 2023. கிட்டதட்ட 450 கோடிக்கு மேல் படம் வசூலித்தது.
  3. ^ "Ponniyin Selvan 2 Final Box Office: Mani Ratnam's epic to end run with worldwide cume of Rs 330 crores". Pinkvilla. 17 May 2023. Archived from the original on 24 May 2023. Retrieved 26 May 2023. Ponniyin Selvan 1 that grossed over Rs 480 crores
  4. ^ "Ponniyin Selvan I box office: Aishwarya Rai-starrer crosses ₹500 crore worldwide, only the second Tamil film to do so". Hindustan Times. 18 November 2022. Archived from the original on 18 November 2022. Retrieved 16 January 2023.
  5. ^ Palat, Lakshana N (13 October 2022). "The women of Ponniyin Selvan: Aishwarya Rai's vengeful Nandini, Trisha's calculating Kundavai are true heroes of Mani Ratnam's saga". The Indian Express. Archived from the original on 13 October 2022. Retrieved 13 October 2022.
  6. ^ Rajendran, Sowmya (7 September 2022). "Haven't read Ponniyin Selvan? We have a cheat sheet for you". The News Minute. Archived from the original on 12 October 2022. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
  7. ^ "Ponniyin Selvan 2 Movie Review: Mani Ratnam Finally Lets His World Bloom with Its Lethalness, Mysticism & Aishwarya Rai Bachchan's Ethereal Presence". Koimoi. 28 April 2023. Archived from the original on 30 April 2023. Retrieved 30 April 2023.
  8. ^ "'RRR' and 'Ponniyin Selvan Part 1' Belatedly Honored by Filmfare South Awards – Global Bulletin". Variety.


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