The Cholas are Back|Apr. 28, 2023|India|165 Min.|Not Rated
Genre: Action;Adventure;Bollywood;Drama;South;Indian
Description: In 1958, M. G. Ramachandran announced the adaptation of Kalki Krishnamurthy’s historical novel “Ponniyin Selvan” into a film. He acquired the rights for ₹10,000 (equivalent to ₹810,000 or US$10,000 in 2020) and planned to produce, direct, and star in the movie. The film was set to feature a star-studded cast, including Vyjayanthimala, Gemini Ganesan, Padmini, Savitri, B. Saroja Devi, M. N. Rajam, T. S. Balaiah, M. N. Nambiar, O. A. K. Thevar, and V. Nagayya. However, after an accident delayed production for six months, Ramachandran eventually abandoned the project despite renewing the rights four years later.
In the late 1980s, actor Kamal Haasan and filmmaker Mani Ratnam collaborated on adapting the novel into a film. Composer Ilaiyaraaja, cinematographer P. C. Sreeram, and actors like Sathyaraj and Prabhu were involved in the project. Ratnam and Haasan worked on a draft but shelved the idea as it was not financially viable at the time. Ratnam later expressed that it remained one of his dream projects. Haasan also attempted to turn the story into a 40-part television series but faced setbacks.
In 2010, Ratnam revived the project and collaborated with writer Jeyamohan to finalize the script. The Tamil-language adaptation was estimated to cost ₹100 crore (US$13 million). Technicians like composer A. R. Rahman, cinematographer Santosh Sivan, editor A. Sreekar Prasad, and art director Sabu Cyril joined the production. The film, “Ponniyin Selvan: Part II,” continues the legacy of this iconic historical novel.
Cast director: Mani Ratnam
Cast actor: Vikram, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Jayam Ravi, Karthi, Trisha Krishnan, Prabhu, R. Sarathkumar, Sobhita Dhulipala, Aishwarya Lekshmi, Vikram Prabhu
Original name: பொன்னியின் செல்வன்: பாகம் 2