Ponniyin Selvan 1 Review – Pure Love

When it was announced that the most beloved novel in modern Tamil Literature is going to be made into a movie, 70 years and endless pursuits by countless others, most notably MGR & Kamal Hassan, more than being elated, I was actually relieved. With no disrespects to anyone who tried before, there could be no one better than Manirathnam and no time better than now. Being one of the biggest fans of the novel, he lets Kalki’s vision flow like Ponni at her peak. And that can be seen in every frame of the movie. To put it simply, it is India’s answer to the Lord of the Rings in the sense that it is the most faithful adaptation of an epic novel.

For the few who have not read the books or know what it is about, PS-I tells the story of Chola Empire just before their biggest boom period. It is a complex political drama of Raja Raja Chozhan’s ascendency to the throne and the many plots to make sure that does not happen.

Vallavarayan Vanthiyadevan is not just the main protagonist of the books but he is written in the most envious way ever. He is charming, he is brave, he is slippery, he is virtuous, he is funny and he is fierce. The whole story is seen through his eyes which can only exacerbate the one selected to play it. But Karthi takes it all on and brings about an array of emotions that only a gifted natural actor like him can. Arunmozhi Varman’s poise and might are renowned and Jayam Ravi with his understated acting has managed to bring just that. There could not be a better choice for Adita Karikalan than Vikram and given what is going to happen in the second part, I feel excited about how his take on the upcoming events are going to be. All the seniors have played their part to perfection but the stand out is obviously Jayaram as Azhwarkadiyan Nambi. You will know from reading the books how difficult this casting was going to be but the veteran knocks it out of the park. Nambi & Vanthiyadevan’s chemistry is a strong point of the books and is the same for the movie.

Right! Now for the most important casting choices. Because the men may be the brawn of the story but the brains are most certainly the women, especially the two forces which are both unstoppable and immovable. I was critical of Trisha’s casting as Kunthavai but watching her on the screen was the happiest surprise. Because Kalki’s women are never frail or afraid. They are brilliant, brave, measured and mature. She is all that and carries herself with so much grace and dignity. Trisha’s performance needed to be all of that because of who she is going against, both as an actor and as a character. Shobita Dhulapia as Vaanathi and Aishwarya Lekshmi as Poonguzhali have done justice to their part. But for all that, there is one who stands out. Aishwarya Rai is such an inspired choice for Nandhini that absolutely no one who could have played the role better. She spoke in the promotions about discovering the character during the course of the shoot. Of course, those who have read the book knows how difficult that is. Nandhini is a mystery even for those who have read the book multiple times. She is a cornucopia of human emotions. The way Kalki wrote about her, you cannot define her as anything in particular. Is she the antagonist? Is she evil? Does she use her beauty to get her way? Does she have reasons for certain decisions she makes? Was she right in her own way? Does she really want to bring down the Chola empire? I can go on but that would mean I spoil part 2 for you. The point is, she is all of that and none of that. Kalki’s brilliance lay in how he left her undefined and for us to imagine. Aishwarya Rai is such a tour de force in this part that she too lets you pick and choose. And in whatever way you go, you are justified. Or you’ll simply be enchanted by her beauty like how Vanthiyadevan was in that amazingly shot scene when he sees her through the closing door in her palace. “Don’t get mesmerised by the golden treasures on the way” tells Nandhini to Vanthiyadevan. She looks at her and replies “Why would I be since I have already seen a diamond mine!” Indeed!

Manirathnam! What is there to say about this master and PS is most precious masterpiece. What I loved about him is how much love, care and affection he gave to the original story. There is so much actual history in this fiction. Even most of the character names and titles existed in real life and so are the places. Reference points are in abundance and so is the wrath of the passionate millions who have read the book and are ready pounce on any cues of over indulgence. Thankfully Mani being one of them simply decides that the original story is enough. And thank God for that. There is a sense that scenes were rushed in the beginning but everything falls into place eventually for even non-readers to grasp the context. By the time Vanthiyadevan leaves for Sri Lanka we are in the clear. Manirathnam has poured all of his 4-decade long experience in Ponniyin Selvan that is visible in every frame. The vision, the sets, the locations, the planning, the casting and most importantly the writing are all at the apex as he weaves a magic while crafting this masterpiece.

The technical team is the industry’s highest standards with A R Rahman, Ravi Varman and Sreekar Prasad being the obvious standouts. While Kalki himself wrote songs in the book as ornamental pieces, here they are used to progress the story.

I can see why this movie may not work for a section of audience. It would have been so much easier to take the Baahubali route and make it more fantasy with lots of mass scenes. There is great scope for that in the story. But with all due respects to Baahubali whose success is one of the main reasons why PS got greenlit, this isn’t that. This is more about the brain than about the brawn. There were times by the end of book 4, you wonder how in the world would Kalki finish the book because of how complicated it becomes. But he does, beautifully in the end while also leaving us plenty to think about. Mani has already given a cliff hanger of a finish to PS-I. Given I know the book, I can say for sure that PS-II is going to be 5 times as good as PS-I. It is only going to become more convoluted without being confusing. But it will all make sense in the end.

Having seen countless screen versions of novels that I have read and created my own worlds of it and seen most of them crumble, I can only say this about PS-1. Watching PS-I was like reading the book all over again. And that was the most unique of experiences.