Mani Ratnam's upcoming project 'Ponniyin Selvan' is one of the most-awaited films that fans are eager to see on the big screen as it features several popular faces from across the industry.
Mega-budget
Remember we told you, Mani Ratnam wanted to make this film in 1994 at the budget of Rs 100 crore but shelved? Guess what the budget is right now? A whopping Rs 500 crore!
Original adaptation
Before Mani Ratnam decided on adapting this historical drama, it was to be adapted by MG Ramachandran, who had bought the rights to produce a film in 1958 for Rs. 10,000. He had also zeroed in on an ensemble cast of Vyjayanthimala, Gemini Ganesan, Padmini, Savitri, B. Saroja Devi, M. N. Rajam, T. S. Balaiah, M. N. Nambiar, O. A. K. Thevar and V. Nagaiah. However, he met with an accident and was rendered unable to produce the epic.
Mani Ratnam adaptation
It’s since 1994 that Mani Ratnam wanted to make a film on Ponniyin Selvan. However, making a film on a budget of Rs. 100 crore back then was a huge responsibility. Mani saar thought that taking such a huge financial budget did not make sense at the time. In 2010, he decided to begin the project, but faced another roadblock with the locations. As per reports, the legendary Director wanted to shoot certain portions of the film in Mysore Palace Lalitha Mahal, but was refused permission.
Cast changes
After Mani Ratnam decided to revive the project in 2019, there were a lot of casting changes – Thalapathy Vijay, Mahesh Babu, Anushka Shetty, Nayanthara, Keerthy Suresh, Vijay Sethupathi and several others opted out of the film for varied reasons. A lot of other casting changes took place as and when the filmmaker decided to start shooting.
Director Mani Ratnam and music composer A.R. Rahman will not work with lyricist Vairamuthu on this film, following the latter's #MeToo allegations and controversy. For decades, the trio have worked together in each of Ratnam’s films since Roja (1992).
Ponniyin Selvan,The CG work of the film will commence later and will be done round-the-clock. Both the parts are being shot together and the first part will hit the screens probably in the first quarter of 2022 and the second part will release six months later.”
Mani Ratnam's Ponniyin Selvan has an ensemble cast including Chiyaan Vikram, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan,Trisha, Jayam Ravi, Karthi, Aishwarya Lekshmi, Sobhita Dhulipala, Vikram Prabhu, Prakash Raj and Prabhu among others. The lead stars have practised and learned several techniques like horse riding, sword fighting, and others for their roles. The film has music composed by AR Rahman and it is reported that there will be 12 songs in the album.
