Filmmaker Mani Ratnam Reveals The Story Behind The Making of His Dream Project 'Ponniyin Selvan'
Chennai, July 9 - The teaser of filmmaker Mani Ratnam's highly-anticipated Ponniyin Selvan Part 1 was unveiled on July 8. Based on Kalki Krishnamurthy's 1955 novel of the same name, the movie is Mani Ratnam's dream project which he has been trying to make since the 1980s. ## During the teaser launch event, the filmmaker revealed the story behind the making of the film which will be made in two parts. He said that before finally succeeding, he attempted this mega project thrice, once in the 1980s, then in 2000, and for the third time in 2010. Several people had also tried to make eminent writer Kalki's epic novel into a film but couldn't succeed. ## "I first read this book when I was in college. Almost 40 years have passed. It's not left my heart until now. My first thanks go to Kalki", Mani Ratnam said at the grand teaser launch event organized by the makers at the Chennai Trade Centre on Friday. ## "Makkal Thilagam M.G. Ramachandran should have acted in this film. After Nadodi Mannan, he was to act in this film. But somehow, that didn't happen. It is only today that I got to know why he was not able to act. He has left it for us to make. Several people have tried to make Kalki's epic novel Ponniyin Selvan into a film. I myself have tried thrice - once in the 1980s, once in 2000, and once in 2010. Therefore, I know what a big responsibility this is", he added. ## "That is because it is loved by everybody who has read it. They are an authority on it. They own it, and they are very possessive about it. So, when I did this film, I said to myself. 'I am also like them. I own it, I am also possessive about it and I will do it the way I want to do it.' This wouldn't have been possible without all my artists and technicians", the filmmaker continued. ## Produced by Madras Talkies and Lyca Productions, the film stars an ensemble cast of Jayam Ravi, Vikram, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Karthi, Trisha, Aishwarya Lekshmi, Sobhita Dhulipala, Prabhu, R. Sarathkumar, Vikram Prabhu, Jayaram, Prakash Raj, Rahman, and R. Parthiban.## It narrates the early days of the life of Arulmozhi Varman, also known as the great king Rajaraja Chola I. Jayam Ravi will be seen playing the role of Arulmozhi Varman. AR Rahman is scoring the music for this epic historical and the cinematography, which is being hailed after the teaser launch, is handled by Ravi Varman. It is slated to release in theaters worldwide on September 30, 2022, in Tamil along with the dubbed versions of Hindi, Kannada, Telugu, and Malayalam languages. ## Stay tuned...
