Ponniyin Selvan: Part One (2022)

Ponniyin Selvan: Part One (2022) is an epic historical drama adapted from Kalki Krishnamurthy’s celebrated novel. Set in the 10th‑century Chola empire, the film follows the charismatic warrior‑prince Vandiyathevan as he races across a vast, vividly realized kingdom carrying secret messages for Crown Prince Aditha Karikalan. At the same time, Princess Kundavai maneuvers through court politics to protect the throne while rival chieftains, jealous vassals and hidden conspirators plot to throw the realm into chaos. A long‑tailed comet appears overhead, heralding a time of unrest and raising the stakes for every player. Watching the film you’ll be plunged into a richly detailed world of palace intrigue and battlefield peril: sprawling forts and temples, colorful royal processions, tense council rooms and sudden, brutal skirmishes. The story balances large‑scale spectacle — cavalry charges, elaborate costumes, and sweeping landscapes — with intimate character moments: loyalty and rivalry between brothers, a simmering love and respect between siblings, and the personal costs of power. Vandiyathevan’s wit and daring provide an accessible throughline as secrets, betrayals and shifting alliances slowly come to light. Tonally the movie mixes drama with moments of warmth and irony; it’s part political thriller, part family saga, and part mythic fable. The pace alternates between urgent journeys and careful plotting, building suspense as clues about past crimes and future threats accumulate. The ensemble cast of rulers, rebels, spies and priests creates a complex web where loyalties are tested and identities are not always what they seem. As the first installment of a larger adaptation, Ponniyin Selvan: Part One delivers grand production values and a sprawling narrative that sets up deeper mysteries and conflicts to be resolved later. Viewers can expect to be swept up in an immersive historical epic: visually lavish, emotionally charged, and heavy on intrigue, with a cliffhanger feel that promises more revelations to come.

Actors: Vikram, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Jayam Ravi

Director: Mani Ratnam

Genres: Drama, Family, Fantasy

7.6 /10 7.6 /10