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Lyca Productions and Madras Talkies’ Ponniyin Selvan – I (dubbed from the Tamil film of the same name; UA) is a period action drama. The film is set in the era of the Chola dynasty. Sundar Chola’s two sons, Aditya Karikalan (Chiyaan Vikram) and Arunmozhi Varman (Jayam Ravi), have become the targets of the breakaway group led by Paravateshvar (R. Sarath Kumar). To combat the plans of those planning to oust Sundar and his sons, Sundar asks that both his sons visit him in Tanjore. Aditya is unwilling to go to Tanjore because Nandini (Aishwarya Rai Bachchan), the girl he loved in his adolescence, is now married to Paravateshvar who also lives in Tanjore. Even as Arunmozhi Varman sets out to visit his father in Tanjore, another group (comprising the slain Pandya king’s personal guards) plots his murder in Lanka or on his way from Lanka to Tanjore.
The film is based on the original story by Amarar Kalki. As it is a period drama involving different dynasties and many characters belonging to the various dynasties, the story is not easily comprehensible if one isn’t aware of this chapter of history. Therefore, the screenplay, written by Mani Ratnam, Jeyamohan and Kumaravel, is very confusing and often tests the viewers’ patience if only because they lose track of the numerous characters. Also, since the drama is set so far back in time, it becomes difficult for the viewers to get completely involved, especially because the human drama (love story and family drama) has not been established too well. It wouldn’t be wrong to say that the screenplay writers have given more importance to the action and betrayal part of the drama than to the love story and the family drama. Of course, the betrayal part of the drama is also a human drama but the more fulfilling (from the audience’s point of view) human dramas would’ve been the love story and the family drama. Since most of the important, less important and unimportant characters are played by faces which may not be easily recognisable for the Hindi film-going audience, keeping track of the proceedings becomes even more difficult and, if one may use the term, tedious. The drama lacks in emotions and light moments. As a result of all these reasons, the viewers fail to get involved in the drama and remain mere spectators as it unfolds on the screen. Divya Prakash Dubey’s dialogues are not very exciting.
Chiyaan Vikram does well in a role (Aditya Karikalan) which gives him limited scope only. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan looks very beautiful and lends a lot of dignity to the character of Nandini. Jayam Ravi is earnest and sincere in the role of Arunmozhi Varman. He looks very endearing too. Karthi is appealing in the role of Vanthiyathevan. Trisha looks extremely pretty and acts with class as Kundavai. Aishwarya Lekshmi is very impressive as Poornima. Sobhita Dhulipala makes her mark as Vanathi. R. Sarath Kumar is effective as Paravateshvar. Jayaram is entertaining as Nambi. Prakash Raj leaves a mark as Sundar Chol. Nasser has his moments as Veerapandiyan. Prabhu is good as Periya Velaar. Vikram Prabhu is nice in the role of Parthibendran Pallavan. Jayachitra (as Sembiyan Maadevi), Rahman (as Madhurantakan), Shyam Fernando (as Mahindan), Ashwin Kakumanu (as Sendhan Amudhan), Radhakrishnan Parthiban (as Chhote Paravateshvar), Nizhalgal Ravi (as Shambhu Narayan), Vinodhini Vaidyanathan (as Vasuki), Vidhya Subramanian (as Vaanavan Maadevi), Harris Moosa (as Senapathi), Raghav (as Amarabujanga Pandiyan), Santhosh (as young Aditya Karikalan), Sara Arjun (as young Nandini) and the others are adequate.
Mani Ratnam’s direction is good as far as technique is concerned, but he has not been able to penetrate into people’s hearts with his narration. In that sense, his narration fails to engage the viewers. A.R. Rahman’s music is nice but none of the songs is of the popular variety. Mehboob’s lyrics are easy on the lips. Brinda’s choreography is excellent but the impact gets diluted because of the lack of popular tunes. A.R. Rahman’s background music is wonderful. Ravi Varman’s cinematography is outstanding. Locations are also eye-filling. Kecha Khamphakdee, Sham Kaushal and Dhilip Subbarayan’s action and stunt scenes are thrilling. Thota Tharani’s production designing is excellent. Sreekar Prasad’s editing is sharp. Dubbing is superb.
On the whole, Ponniyin Selvan – I is a boring fare which will not find too many takers among the Hindi film-going audiences. Its Hindi dubbed version will, therefore, flop at the ticket windows.
Released on 30-9-’22 at Inox (daily 4 shows) and other cinemas of Bombay thru PEN Marudhar Cine Entertainment. Publicity: dull. Opening: poor. …….Also released all over. Opening was weak everywhere.
