The film is based on one of the greatest novels of tamil literature,”Kalki’s Ponniyin Selvan” starring Vikram,Aishwarya Rai Bachchan,Jayam Ravi,Karthi,Trisha,Jayaram,Aishwarya Lekshmi,Sobhita Dhulipala,Prabhu,R. Sarathkumar,Vikram Prabhu,Prakash Raj,Rahman,R. Parthiban and others in lead and minor roles. PS 1 is financed by Mani Ratnam and Subaskaran under the banners Madras Talkies and Lyca Productions respectively. Ponniyin Selvan depicts the safeguarding the throne of chozha empire by princes Aditha karikalan(crown prince),Arulmozhi varman(prince),princess kundavai from the conspiracy created by two chieftains Periya pazhuvettarayar and Chinna pazhuvettarayar. To deliver a message, Karikalan sends his friend Vandiyadevan to his sister princess kundavai and father sundara chozhar. Later he was assigned tasks by kundavai on a mission to reach Arulmozhi varman and the story is all about the travel of vandiyadevan upon tasks he undertook to protect the throne of chozhas.
The opening scene is narrated by Kamal Hassan on the plot that we are up to. Right from the beginning, the tension onscreen is intrigued as how the plot unfolds.Since written from the novel,it is natural the film is all about story which we can enjoy as they progress.At the same time,the film at its best tried to reciprocate the feelings one gets from reading a novel. But the novel readers would find it bland at times.The pages that has gripped one in book is shown as a piece of cake.Certain added scenes with focusing kundavai is worth the watch. Focused on other character could have been appreciated.
Mani Ratnam has given his own model of PS1 novel into directing a gripping film of large scale best suited for non-book readers.The actors have played parts assigned into giving novel a life worth watching a single time.Unlike other films,a historical film needs music as an additional score in the film,done by A.R.Rahman composing rememberable moments like nandini-kundavai faceoff and background score as one of the best scenes of the film and songs like Ponni Nadhi,Devaralan aattam,chola chola.
The cinematography itself shows the genre we can expect right from the start.The camera by Ravi Varman keeps moving to remind us of the unstable chola empire.It helps us not to divert from original plot.The fictious plot is driven by vandiyadevan from whom we are introduced most of the characters,stands as plot developer.But,vandiyadevan he himself is a king of fallen land is just portrayed as the playboy.Vandiyadevan was inspired for his character but he is here a mere traveler of film,which a mere camera shift would have done it.
The scenes with Alwarkadiyan were not much appreciated in humour side.Their scenes were brilliant in novel that turned into a nuisance for book readers.Sreekar Prasad has edited the film into a continuous flow like reading a book without effort.The costume designer and jewellery designer has done a wonderful job into bringing the era of chola empire into their creations. The cast of film played well into portraying the characters given.Emotions of characters are well enacted needless to keep tracking of their role in the plot.Book readers are versed in characters and expects more from character’s portrayal which has failed.Vikram gets a role to showcase his acting capability with various emotional scenes.
Jayam Ravi sets the actingscored as Arulmozhi Varman,is the show steeler. Karthi as Vandiyadevan is the story teller,well played. Trisha as kundavai has given one of her carrier best actings as princess of chozha who is known for her wits and intelligence.It is felt she was well written to get our applause. Aishwarya Rai as Nandini,has played her unrevealing role in the story with the bit of antagonism is a suspicion throughout the story. A great selection of cast and technicians,when used into creating an epic film would have been a great experience for audience.
A much anticipated film for over decades failed to impress even Mani ratnam’s fans. The junior artists have also played a big support for the film with perfection.The lengthy runtime which dragged the plot could have been made to good use penning down a worth watchy film. Mani Ratnam’s story telling of Ponniyin Selvan,worth a watch single time. You have to take a bite to opiniate the film,is all about one’s view on film.With already anticipated second part to answer the end plot twist,Ps1 joins the list of Bahubali,leaving its unique place diverted from one epic novel by kalki.
No comments:
Post a Comment