Ponniyin Selvan - Part 1 is a film written by Mani Ratnam, Elango Kumaravel, B Jeyamohan and directed by Mani Ratnam. The film is based on Kalki's magnum opus, Ponniyin Selvan and has Vikram, Aishwarya Rai, Jayam Ravi, Karthi, Trisha, Vikram Prabhu, Sobhitha Dhulipala, Aishwarya Lekshmi, Sarathkumar, Prakash Raj, Prabhu, Jayaram and others in the lead roles. PS is bankrolled by Mani Ratnam and Subaskaran under the banners Madras Talkies and Lyca Productions respectively.
Aditha Karikalan (Vikram) has just won a battle against the Rashtrakutas up north, and sends his friend Vanthiyathevan (Karthi) to deliver a message to his sister Princess Kundhavai (Trisha) and father Sundara Chozhan (Prakash Raj). The film follows the adventures of Vanthiyathevan, as he is assigned more duties by Kundhavai, and Arunmozhi Varman (Jayam Ravi). Meanwhile, there's a conspiracy happening at Thanjavur involving the Chozha Throne and the chieftains headed by Periya Pazhuvettaraiyar (Sarathkumar) and his brother Chinna Pazhuvettaraiyar (Parthiban).
Probably the most exciting element about Ponniyin Selvan - Part 1 is the story itself. Upon watching the film, one might finally get the answer to the question why is Ponniyin Selvan one of the best selling novels in the country. Right from the word Go, there is a natural tension that is present in each scene, keeping us on the edge of our seats.
When we watch thriller movies, as audiences it is natural that we start solving the cases in our minds. Similarly, whenever a new character that appears on screen, we start looking at them with a sense of suspicion. Are they going to plot against the Chozhas or are they part of the same team. Such questions add on to the excitement.
While it's certainly difficult to execute a film on this scale, for a director like Mani Ratnam, who has a strong sense of aesthetics, conceiving the scenes and getting the job done from actors shouldn't have been a difficult task. This is because he is surrounded by a set of technicians who've proven their worth multiple times. He is aided by AR Rahman whose score and songs like Devaralan Aattam, Ponni Nadhi give you goosebumps multiple times.
The cinematography reflects the nature of the plot very well. Since the entire plot revolves around the fight for the throne, the kingdom of Chozhas is unstable. Ravi Varman's camera too doesn't stand at one place for most of the film. It keeps moving, and it's a bit unconventional as well because usually you expect some scenes to be shot while the camera is still. This innovation pays off well. Art Director Thota Tharani's work also deserves lot of praise, as he has put so much work into bringing the palace of Chozhas into life.
The film gets its casting on point with each actor fitting their character to the T, and they all emote so well. Vikram gets a meaty scene to showcase all his acting capabilities in the interval block, Jayam Ravi looks super perfect as Arunmozhi Varman, while Karthi is the one who carries the film throughout.
Aishwarya Rai as Nandhini is an apt cast and she has pulled off the role with negative shade convincingly well. Trisha gets a meaty role as Kundhavai and looks stunning in every frame in her career best role till date.
Even the junior artists' add so much value to the film. If at all there's something wrong with the film, the runtime could test the patience. Barring that the film gets almost everything right, is close to a perfect adaptation of the book. The wait for the Part 2 has already began with the surprise end twist.