Ponniyin Selvan 1 Review: (PS 1) Telling A Larger Than Life Story Doesn’t Always Require Shouting
Cast – Vikram, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Prakash Raj, Nassar, Jayam Ravi, Karthi, Trisha, R Sharat Kumar, Jairam, Rahman
Director – Mani Ratnam
Filmyhype.com Ratings: 3.5/5 (three and a half star) [yasr_overall_rating size=”large”]
Ponniyin Selvan 1 is not Game of Thrones in its own right. Rather Game of Thrones is English Ponniyin Selvan 1. Mani Ratnam had said so in one of his interviews for Ponniyin Selvan 1. I watched the movie. And why does this statement of his seem right? The film opens and we meet the Chola Empire. Raja Sundar Chola had three children. Aditya Karikalan, Kundavai, and the youngest son Arunamoli Varman. Chiyan Vikram, Trisha Krishnan and Jayam Ravi have played their roles. The Chola Empire is in progress. development is taking place. The people are happy. But then some people are conspiring inside. This is not an outsider. Rather, he is one of the trusted people of the Chola dynasty. Aditya gets to know about this. Whether this is true or not, and who is involved in it? To find out, he sends his friend Vanditevan on a journey Karti has played this role.
The name PS1 has also been included in the films based on the books. Kalki Krishnamurthy’s Tamil novel Ponniyin Selvan 1 has now been adapted into a film. The PS1 movie is divided into two parts. Its first part has been released. The film begins with a story set a thousand years ago in the voice of actor Ajay Devgan, where the emperor Sundar Chola (Prakash Raj) of Tanjore has two sons Aditya Karikalan (Vikram) and Arunmodi Varman (Jayam Ravi) and a daughter Kundavai (Trisha) Is. Hero warrior Aditya beheads Veerapandya (Nassar) in a battle. Veerapandya’s bodyguards take an oath to annihilate the Chola dynasty. Rajkumar Arunmodi Varman aka Ponniyin Selvan is all set to win over Sinhala. Sundar Cholas is unhealthy. The Chola dynasty is in danger. Only the protectors of the Chola kingdom are hatching the conspiracy Aditya is aware of this.
Ponniyin Selvan 1 Review: The Story
Film depicting the story of Nandini burning in the fire of vengeance the commander of the Chola Empire, Parvatisvara (R. Sarat Kumar) along with the rest of the ministers is plotting to overthrow the Chola Empire. He wants to make Madhurantkan (Rahman), son of Sundar’s elder brother, on the throne. Parvteshwar’s young wife Nandini (Aishwarya Rai Bachchan) supports him in all this, though she has a different purpose. Nandini has a past, she wants to avenge Veerapandya’s death from Aditya and sit on the throne of the Chola Empire. Aditya and Nandini were once in love with each other. The story ends with Nandini burning in the fire of vengeance and going through various conspiracies. The duration of the film is very long. It will certainly not be easy for Mani Ratnam to bundle two thousand pages into two films. A lot of time goes into understanding the characters and their story. Because of this, the characters of Aditya and Arunmodi do have not got that much screen space.
The desire to see Jayam in the character of Ponniyin Selvan grows but is disappointed. Mani Ratnam had told that the war will be the toughest part of the film. The battle scenes have not become as impressive, as not much information has been given about the causes of the war and against whom the war is being fought. One reason for that could be the film being in two halves. Perhaps the answer to this will be found in the second part. The Hindi dialogues of the film are written by Divya Prakash Dubey, which are simple and fit in with the scene. The climax of the film is exciting. The battle scene in the ocean at the end is grand. Seeing Aishwarya floating underwater as Mouni Rani with long white hair and age-related wrinkles on her face, points to her double role in the film. Those who stick to the principles, do not attack the unarmed, Vikram impresses as a heartfelt lover and brave warrior. He also wins hearts in emotional scenes.
Ponniyin Selvan 1 Review and Analysis
We meet the rest of the characters in this journey of Vandeevan. Their intentions are known in their politics. Film critic Bharadwaj Rangan wrote something on Mani Ratnam. That he is such a filmmaker who has to walk the line between commercials and other films. Mani Ratnam does not want to draw your attention to ‘PS-1’ with extravagant ostentation. The music doesn’t play. The characters are not necessarily made to be larger than life. The kings, maharajas, and queens, even though they do not roam among the common people all the time, under the burden of their responsibilities, and their positions, are only human beings. The writing of the film breaks him on a human level.
I have one complaint about a lot of big-scale films. That they try to hide the fault of their writing under the guise of music, and grand visuals. PS-1 doesn’t want to do this. Because the most important element here is the writing. She picks up the film. And the rest of the factors just come forward and turn the film into a good experience. Therefore, if you go to see the film in search of hoarseness, then you will not be very happy. Ponniyin Selvan 1 will be made in two parts. In that sense, this part serves to set up the story and characters. In the beginning, there is confusion due to the names of many characters and states. But by the second half, everything becomes clear.
The king may sit on the throne here, but the film does not forget the queens who took him there. Two characters here are special in that respect. Aishwarya Rai’s character Nandini and Trisha’s character Kundvai. Nandini is a very beautiful woman. He is familiar with it before the rest of the world reminds him of this. She also uses it for her purposes. So much so that she looks like a gimmick. Not a slut. Nandini was the highlight for me among so many male characters. As much as Mani Ratnam’s credit in this is Aishwarya Rai’s. After the note on which the film ends, I am curious to know what Nandini will do next.
Kundavai is the sister of Aditya and Ponniyin Selvan 1 Arunmoly. His identity is not suppressed or hidden between two such great princes. The conspirators against the Chola Empire know that they are more threatened by Kundavai than by Aditya and Arunamoli. Kundvai keeps her decency in her gesture. But don’t be fooled that anyone turns around. Trisha manages to give this character both her grace and cleverness. Between politics and bloodshed, Karti’s character Vandithevan did the work of giving humor to the film.
Vanditevan is not a serious warrior. drinks alcohol. flirts with girls. He is a little joker-type man. When he does not wield his sword, he uses his tongue. Overall, Karti, who became Vanditevan, entertains you. In the second half, we meet Jayam Ravi, who became Arunmoli. His character was not explored much in this part. Then comes Chiya Vikram. His screen presence is less than the rest of the characters. But his character is going to create as much impact. Be that as it may, the film gives room to a strong reason behind it. The great, rich-looking Mahavira from above is eating something inside.
In all the scenes he gets, Vikram manages to bring out his character’s frustration and anger. with your mouth several times. So many times with your own eyes. Mani Ratnam’s old teammate Ravi Varman was also there in PS-1. He has worked as a cinematographer on many Mani Ratnam films. Together, both of them have done such filming that they have found grandeur in simplicity. He doesn’t always need huge sets to show off the grandeur of his film. Eka Lakhani has done the costume designing work for the film. From the beautiful saris of the queens to the armor of the warriors, her fine work will be seen.
Then comes the music of AR Rahman. Good music doesn’t need to make its presence felt. That bus narrative is taken forward. Such is the work of Rahman here. Amidst all the praise of the film, some flaws were left. Like there are gaps in some places in writing. How did any character come to know that it is going to happen? The film does not answer them at some points. But it is not so deep that your experience gets spoiled. The rest of the PS-1 proves to be able to show what it wants to show without making any noise while maintaining the dignity of its story.
Ponniyin Selvan 1 Review: The Last Words
Aishwarya’s grip on the character of Nandini, burning in the fire of vengeance, is seen as strong in every scene. Trisha looks as impressive as Kundvai, who is trying to save her empire. Actor Karthi, who gets the most screen space in the film, makes his mark as a warrior and friend. He has also got many funny scenes that bring a smile to his face. Mani Ratnam is known for showing explosive entry of actors in slow motion. A glimpse of his art will also be seen in this film. There is a lot of use of visual effects to make the film grand and show the Chola Empire. Cinematographer Ravi Varman manages to take the world back a thousand years through his camera. The background score and music of the film are by AR Rahman which helps in taking the story of the film forward.
