Kalki`s Ponniyin Selvan is a sprawling epic that has proven difficult to shoot for many Tamil filmmakers. The dream finally comes true in this epic adaptation. In the first part of the two-part series, directors, and writers Jeyamohan and Ilango Kumalabel rise to the challenge. The way they condensed the novel is commendable, with Kundavai plunging into secret discussions and the appearance of Ponyin Servan`s mysterious savior adding to the dynamism of the story.
The film gets off to a shaky start as the director takes his time building the plot. Crown prince Aaditha Karikalan (Vikram) entrusts his friend Vandhiyathevan (Karthi) to deliver a message to his father and emperor Sundara Cholar (Prakash Raj) and sister, princess Kunthavai (Trisha) on the threats that the kingdom is facing. The schemers include Periya Pazhuvettarayar (Sarath Kumar) and Chinna Pazhuvettarayar (Radhakrishnan Parthiban), the empire's finance minister and commander, the numerous kings who have sworn fealty to the emperor, the remaining forces of the vanquished Pandya king and most importantly, Nandhini (Aishwarya Rai Bachchan), Karikalan's former lover and the wife of Periya Pazhuvettarayar, who is determined to bring the entire Chola empire down for reasons of her own.
These portions, which inevitably have a bit of exposition given the nature of the plot, have rather jerky transitions as we are introduced to the numerous players in the plot and the history between them. There are times when we feel too many events being crammed up in a short time, which might make it hard for those who haven't read, the books, to follow the plot. The swift character introductions also mean that we are already on to the next character before we have fully grasped the motives of the one we have just been introduced to.
But then the film starts to settle down, and when we reach the intermission (the ghost of the last one to haunt Carikaran), we find ourselves immersed in this story involving the palace's intrigues. And as the action shifts to Sri Lanka, the pace picks up as Karikaran's younger brother, Arun Mojvarman (Jayamuravi), the, eponymous pony in his Selvan attempts to capture the country's king, and the film is a nail-biting sequence. race to the end Featuring the bodyguards of the slain Pandya king who landed there to kill Arunmoji, the director sets the sequel up with daring stunts on ships in stormy seas. Karthi is great as his playful Vandhiyathevan and with Jayaram as his Alwarkadiyan of spies, brings humor to a very serious action. Aishwarya captures the spirit of Nandhini in his captivating looks while Vikram, Jayam Ravi, and Trisha act as royalty. There is grandeur in the frame, but it's more restrained here, unlike the Baahubali film. Cinematographer Ravi Varman shot primarily on-site, including massive fortress walls, spacious halls with multiple columns and high ceilings, lone boats floating in the vastness of the sea, and countless corpses lining the beach. It will show you the sights such as AR Rahman's chopped songs mostly help propel the narrative forward, while his score helps bring an engaging quality to what's happening in the second half.