Ponniyin Selvan - Eternal classic

Years before, my mother handed me a book that was bound neatly. It was in the Tamil language. She said that it was the story - Ponniyin Selvan written by her favorite author - Kalki. She had enjoyed reading it along with my dad. Both of them knew how to read Tamil frequently. I still cannot read fluently but I want to. Tamil literature is not easy to grasp. So, I kept that book in my suitcase and it is still up in the loft.

Meanwhile, Ponniyin Selvan which is a story about the kings that ruled the south of India and SriLanka was tried to be made into a movie but funds could not be procured for the big-budget film by the famous MGR. Later, ManiRatnam, the famous director started it and after lots of struggles and Covid, the movie was finally produced and because of its length, had to be divided into two parts.

I have watched Hollywood movies and I like them but after watching Ponniyin Selvan on Amazon Prime, I felt that it surpassed a Hollywood movie and is sure to bag awards. It has grossed crores at the box office and created new records.

I am not going to rewrite the story here but I can give a gist. The story is about a local chief who is sent as a messenger by a prince to give the news to his sister, the princess about an uprising and an attempt that is to be made on the life of her other brother called Ponniyin Selvan. The chief has to undergo many difficulties to reach the princess and she is witty enough to try and foil the plans of the uprising. Meanwhile, Ponniyin Selvan and the chief are attacked and they escape but are thought to be dead in the seas. The second part will show how they escape with the help of a lady who is the lookalike of the villainous lady.

Maniratnam, the brilliant director along with his team Ravi Varman and A R Rahman have done an excellent job and words cannot explain it enough. You have to see it to believe it. Please watch the movie with the help of Subtitles if you cannot understand the Indian language.

So many actors from across the south have gladly played their part in this movie even if it was just a scene. There is not much of an ego problem here in the south and that is why this movie is such a success. I am glad I watched this movie.

The trailer

The beautiful Aishwarya Rai Bachan has starred as Nandhini and Trisha as Princess Kundavai making other female actors look pale in comparison.