Ponniyin Selvan: Part 1 (2022) Movie Review

Adapting the 2000-page epic novel Ponniyin Selvan into a 2.5-hour film is no small feat. The challenge lies in determining what to include and what to leave out, given the novel's extensive cast of characters and plots. Nonetheless, director Mani Ratnam delivers an impressive film by trimming the fat and focusing solely on elements that move the story forward.

Ponniyin Selvan Part 1 covers about two-and-a-half books of the five-part series and tells a story that unfolds in multiple locations. With Sundara Cholan's (played by Prakash Raj) declining health, a coup is staged to prevent Prince Aditha Karikalan (Vikram) from taking the throne. The young prince, who is away from the capital, sends his friend Vallavarayan Vanthiyathevan (Karthi), a spy and messenger from Kanchi, to uncover the traitors. Other plotlines involve Arulmozhi Varman (Jayam Ravi) in Sri Lanka and Kundhavai (Trisha) in Pazhayarai. The film includes the best elements of the original novel and adds two immersive war sequences, making it Mani Ratnam's most commercial film.

Despite audiences' increasing appetite for larger-than-life war scenes after Baahubali, Mani Ratnam resists the easy way out. The battle sequences are authentic and real, rather than just being hero introduction scenes. The director intentionally takes this approach, even though the story could easily be exploited for "fire and water" moments.

Mani Ratnam makes the drama more captivating than the sword fights. The meeting of Nandini (Aishwarya Rai) and Kundhavai (Trisha) is sparkling; Aditha Karikalan's monologue about Nandini is unforgettable; and Vallavarayan Vanthiyathevan's hopeless pick-up lines are more enjoyable than sinking ships and burning forts. The director was concerned about the dialogues, wanting them to be pure Tamil but not overly dramatic or archaic. Tamil writer Jeyamohan was the ideal candidate for the job. The lines sound natural and not odd to viewers who no longer speak ancient Tamil.

One of the film's primary strengths is the cast's effective performances. Karthi, as Vallavarayan Vanthiyathevan, effortlessly steals the show. He is charming as a smooth-talking flirt, and at the same time, you see him as a courageous warrior. Aishwarya Rai portrays Nandini Devi's character perfectly, and her scenes are sensuous, with seductive music and soft focus. Jayam Ravi and Trisha, who were seen as unlikely choices, surprised the audience with their performances as Ponniyin Selvan and Kundhavai, respectively. Ravi radiates the affable energy of a level-headed prince, while Trisha impresses with her portrayal of Kundhavai's heroic moments.

Ravi Varman's cinematography is remarkable. Every frame resembles a painting, and many frames in PS1 are worthy of being hung as paintings. It is one thing to make shots appear grand, but it is quite another to capture the innate grandeur of things. Ravi Varman's work undoubtedly belongs to the latter category.

The film is a testament to Mani Ratnam's brand of commercial films, in which he doesn't turn his heroes into demigods but portrays them as ordinary kings. He also respects the audience's intelligence by taking big leaps. Similarly, when Arulmozhi Varman is introduced, it is clear that he is in a foreign land just by his appearance and manner of speaking. The audience is not spoon-fed information, and the film, despite its epic scale, "Ponniyin Selvan" manages to captivate the audience with its gripping narrative, breathtaking visuals, and brilliant performances. The film's biggest challenge was to condense a sprawling 2000-page novel into a 2.5-hour movie without losing its essence. However, director Mani Ratnam, with his impeccable storytelling skills, managed to deliver an impressive film that does justice to Kalki Krishnamurthy's magnum opus.

The film's narrative revolves around the power struggle for the Chola kingdom's throne. With Sundara Cholan's (played by Prakash Raj) deteriorating health, a coup is staged to prevent Prince Aditha Karikalan (Vikram) from ascending to the throne. The prince, who is away from the capital, sends his friend Vallavarayan Vanthiyathevan (Karthi), a spy and messenger from Kanchi, to expose the traitors. Meanwhile, Arulmozhi Varman (Jayam Ravi) is in Sri Lanka, and Kundhavai (Trisha) is in Pazhayarai, where they face their own challenges.

Mani Ratnam's strength lies in his ability to cut through the clutter and focus on what drives the story forward. He deliberately avoids the temptation to exploit the novel's battle scenes for cheap thrills and instead makes the drama more engrossing than the sword fights. The film's dialogues, written by Tamil writer Jeyamohan, are pure and authentic, and the cast delivers them effortlessly.

The performances in "Ponniyin Selvan" are top-notch, with Karthi stealing the show as Vallavarayan Vanthiyathevan. His portrayal of a charming flirt who transforms into a brave warrior is remarkable. Aishwarya Rai as Nandini Devi delivers a sensuous and alluring performance, while Jayam Ravi and Trisha surprise the audience with their portrayals of Arulmozhi Varman and Kundhavai, respectively. The cinematography by Ravi Varman is awe-inspiring, with every frame looking like a piece of art.

In conclusion, "Ponniyin Selvan Part 1" is a cinematic triumph that highlights Mani Ratnam's brilliance as a director. He manages to capture the essence of Kalki Krishnamurthy's novel while delivering a film that stands on its own. The performances, cinematography, and dialogue are exceptional, making it a must-watch for fans of the novel and moviegoers alike.