After a five-year absence, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan is returning to the big screen. Her fourth collaboration with the unconventional filmmaker is ‘Ponniyin Selvan: I.’ The former Miss World began her career with Ratnam’s ‘Iruvar,’ and she then appeared in his big ventures like ‘Guru,’ and ‘Raavanan.’
PS-1 (Ponniyan Selvan: I) will be released in five languages on September 30, 2022: Tamil, Hindi, Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam. PS 1 is based on Kalki Krishnamurthy’s famous novel, which was serialized in the 1950s and has been a tremendous success ever since. Vikram, Jayam Ravi, Karthi, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Trisha, Jayaram, Sobhita Dhulipala, Aishwarya Lekshmi, Vikram Prabhu, and Ashwin Kakumanu feature in the film, while R. Sarathkumar, R. Parthiban, Prabhu, Prakash Raj, Rahman, and others play supporting roles.
Picture Credit: News18
Mani Ratnam produced the film under his production company Madras Talkies, with Allirajah Subaskaran under the label Lyca Productions. A. R. Rahman created the film’s score, while Ravi Varman handled the photography, The editing was handled by A. Sreekar Prasad, and the production design was handled by Thota Tharani.
What is it All About?
The story takes place in the 10th century, during a turbulent period in the Chola Empire when power conflicts between rival branches of the royal family produced severe schisms between potential successors to the ruling monarch. The storyline is set during the turbulent period before Ponniyin Selvan (son of the River Kaveri), afterward known as Rajaraja Chola, became one of India’s greatest monarchs, ushering in a golden age.
The film is characterized as an adventure epic in which brave troops, clever spies, and villainous schemers all compete for control of the empire, and civil war looms until the scores are settled.
All of this political and military turbulence resulted in the Cholas being the continent’s most rich and powerful empire, as well as one of the most successful and long-reigning empires in history. PS-1 symbolizes the start of the Golden Era.
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan looks heavenly as Queen Nandini in Mani Ratnam’s masterwork.
Picture credit: Economic Times
Here is the first glimpse at Bollywood actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan’s role in Mani Ratnam’s masterpiece “Ponniyin Selven: I.” Aishwarya Rai Bachchan’s most recent film performance was in Fanney Khan in 2008, with Anil Kapoor and Rajkumar Rao. The actress recently blasted the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival in France.
Lyca Productions’ official Twitter handle released Aishwarya Rai’s first look.
Aishwarya Rai will reportedly play two characters: Nandini, the queen of Pazhuvoor, and Mandakini Devi.
The actress is currently preparing to make her ten-year comeback in Tamil cinema with Mani Ratnam’s Ponniyin Selvan. Aishwarya remarked of reuniting with her GURU director, “It’s always special, each and every time. In the beginning, it was an absolute blessing for the student in me, who was just diving right into cinema and getting to work with Mani Ratnam. I couldn’t have asked for a better opportunity.”
Picture credit: Economic Times
Mani Ratnam told Aishwarya that Pooniyin Selvan is his dream project, and she felt honored and blessed when he requested her to be a part of it.
Other celebrities’ sentiments of working with Mani Ratnam Jayaram as Azhwarkadiyaan Nambi
Popular actor Jayaram, who is also a part of the massive star cast and has remarked that all actors in India would love to work under Mani Ratnam’s direction, appears to be quite pleased about becoming a part of the film.
Picture credit: Times of India
Jayaram, who plays Azhwarkadiyan Nambi in the film, shared a photo with Mani Ratnam and Ravi Varman,
“Years of a wait to act in a #maniratnam film finally comes to an end! To be a part of this magnum opus #ponniyinselvan feels amazing #nambi will be close to my heart. @r_varman_ it feels great to see your growth right from your first film with me! You are exceptional. Catch you guys soon in theaters!”
Karthi As Vallavaraiyan Vanthiyathevan
Karthi plays Vanthiyathevan, one of the central characters in Mani Ratnam’s much-anticipated film “Ponniyin Selvan.”
Picture Credit: Times of India
Actor Karthi, who will play Vandiyadevan, stated at the launch event that it was difficult to make the movie because the book has been extensively read by thousands of individuals, and each of them has their own interpretation of the plot. “I kept telling Ravi anna (Ravi Varman) that every day on the sets was a new experience for us. I could observe and learn from so many of my favorite artists,” Karthi said.
Jayam Ravi as Arul Mozhi Varman
Actor Jayam Ravi, who plays prince Arul Mozhi Varman (later known as the renowned Raja Raja Chola) in filmmaker Mani Ratnam’s highly anticipated magnum epic “Ponniyin Selvan,” says he experienced goosebumps and appreciates the director for the part.
Picture credit: India Glitz
Trisha Krishnan as Princess Kundavai
Picture credit: India Glitz
Actress Trisha stated, “This is the first time we (the cast) are all witnessing the teaser,” at the launch event while thanking the director Mani Ratnam. I can’t even speak. Acting in a Mani Ratnam film is a dream come true for every actor, whether they are up-and-coming or seasoned professionals. I’m incredibly grateful that I got to play Kundavai in his masterpiece.
Mani Ratnam About His Dream Project
Ratnam stated during the makers’ Friday grand teaser launch ceremony held at the Chennai Trade Centre, “I first read this book when I was in college. Almost 40 years have passed. It’s not left my heart until now. My first thanks go to Kalki.”
Mani Ratnam noted that numerous people had attempted to adapt famed author Kalki’s epic work “Ponniyin Selvan” into a motion picture. He claimed that he himself had made three unsuccessful attempts—once in the 1980s, once in 2000, and once more in 2010, before finally succeeding this time around.
Watch the Teaser of Ponniyin Selvan
Tips Official posted the movie’s trailer on YouTube, where it quickly surpassed 3 million views.