Those who have read Kalki's original, which is regarded as the best book ever written in Tamil literature, will undoubtedly be rooting for their favorite leads or anticipating the appearance of their most beloved scenes. Given the grand war sequences featured, viewers who are not familiar with the book may even be reminded of the recent RRR. The fact that the directo and  both extremes is praiseworthy.
Most of Mani Ratnam's most recent period drama is focused on a power struggle:A new emperor for the Chola kingdom is required because Emperor Sundara Chola's (Prakash Raj) health is deteriorating. There are many candidates, with his son Aditha Karikalan (Vikram) in the lead. However, Sundara Chola also has a daughter named Kundavai (Trisha) and a son named Arunmozhi Varman (Jayam Ravi).
Given the competition, picking the right person to sit onpower strugglebe simple: The second-most significant individual in the empire, Periya Pazhuvettariyar (Sarath Kumar), and his circle of advisors are supporting a different candidate for the vacant seat. What will occur?

This narrative can be told in a variety of ways, but author Kalki and director Mani Ratnam have chosen to tell it from Vanthiyathevan's (Karthi) point of view. Despite having no further link to the plot other than being Aditha Karikalan's companion, he serves as the film's main point of view. Vanthiyathevan has a wide-eyed expression whenever he learns something new. similar to us. He sets out in complete seriousness to travel the world and impart vital messages, but he also has fun. Vanthiyathevan is us, the viewer, looking intently into a movie that simultaneously combines bravery, avarice, honesty, and betrayal.
Mani Ratnam happily pulls up all of the diverse personalities from the rich source material, which features a wide range of individuals who experience a rollercoaster of emotions, to give it a cinematic feel. He has a star-studded cast, which helps. Thanks to his lively acting (someone tells him, "Un vaal oda naaku koormai," indicating that he's a smooth talker), Karthi almost steals the show, especially in the first half, igniting a feeling of joie de vivre. Watch Vikram sob during a scene as he somberly remembers a ghost from his past to get a sense of how strong his performance is. While still upholding the respect due to royalty, Jayam Ravi takes a laid-back, understated approach to his persona.Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Trisha do a good job at capturing the Tamil accents of Nandini and Kundavi, however the confrontation scene between them needed more drama. Aishwarya Rai looks stunning and performs brilliantly in the rare parts that hint at the villainy of her character, but there is still much need for improvement. We'll hold off till the following chapter.
The problem with an epic of this type is that everyone receives little attention aside from the leads. Poonguzhali (Aishwarya Lekshmi) and some of the other characters who make brief appearances leave you wondering about their relationship to the main plot. Only Jayaram as Azhawarkadiyan Nambi stands out, especially given his personality and outspoken demeanour. Another problem is the presence of a dozen significant characters and the outdated Tamil speech, which will make it difficult for the average spectator to follow.
But the film's capacity to transport you to a world from many centuries ago is what viewers will pay attention to—and probably marvel at. Ponniyin Selvan: 1 has you invested in the big screen, whether it is the lush kingdom passages or the beautiful combat set pieces, yet one believes that the ocean segment in the second half should have been staged better. The quick-motion views taken from atop a horse are just as elegant as those bathed in lovely sunlight. Thota Tharani's production design is a standout, as is Ravi Varman's camera that virtually rushes with the protagonists.
Since the timeless Roja, AR Rahman's music has become a trademark of Mani Ratnam films. It is experimental and amplifies the war scenes, while the songs are strategically positioned to advance the plot.
It's no small achievement for Mani Ratnam to have accomplished what MGR and Kamal Haasan had envisioned for the film's topic. Who, then, is Mani Ratnam in his truest form? Is he able to make his characters vibrant and romantic, much like how we felt when we were in love, like Karthik (Alaipayuthe) or Amarkant (Dil Se...)? Or, is he comparable to Surya (Thalapathi) or Velu Naicker (Nayakan), characters who must make important decisions? To put it briefly, avaru nallavara kettavara?
He has to deal with both equally in PS: 1. He exhibits goodness in Arunmozhi Varman, but balances it out with the cunning Nandini. Aditha Karikalan has moments of humour interspersed with earnestness, and Vandhiyathevan does the same. 167 minutes of potent storytelling supported by stunning visuals make up Ponniyin Selvan: 1.