The Unknown Story of Ponniyin Selvan Movie Adaptation
Image Source: Lyca Productions
“Kollywood’s Epic Journey: The Inception and Resurrection of a Blockbuster Film”
Inception of an Idea
It all began in 1958 when the charismatic MGR secured the film rights of a novel featuring industry stalwarts. Unfortunately, an untimely injury delayed the project, but hope was rekindled when the rights were renewed four years later.
Enter Mani Ratnam & Kamal Haasan
Fast forward to 1994, and the talented Kamal Haasan took over the reins, teaming up with the visionary Mani Ratnam for the initial draft. Regrettably, the project faced financial challenges, leading to its temporary shelving.
Ratnam’s Resurgence
However, like a phoenix rising from the ashes, Mani Ratnam returned in 2010. This time, he decided to direct and produce the film himself, collaborating with the acclaimed writer Jeyamohan. A star-studded team, including AR Rahman, Santosh Sivan, A Sreekar Prasad, and Sabu Cyril, lent their brilliance to the project.
Thalapathy Vijay & Mahesh Babu Face-to-Face!?
The excitement reached a fever pitch when Thalapathy Vijay, Mahesh Babu, and Arya were cast as the male leads, while the female counterparts boasted of stellar talents like Jyothika, Anushka Shetty, and Priyanka Chopra. However, unforeseen challenges involving locations and budget constraints forced the film to be put on hold once again.
Third Time Lucky?
But true to the saying, “third time’s the charm,” in 2019, the project experienced a glorious revival, thanks to the backing of Lyca Productions. The new cast lineup featured powerhouses like Vikram, Jayam Ravi, Karthi, Amitabh Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai, Trisha, and Aishwarya Lekshmi. The talented Keerthy Suresh, Vijay Sethupathi, and Amala Paul were initially part of the cast but were replaced.
All’s Well That Ends Well
Amidst a few more cast and crew changes, the film finally embarked on its journey in December 2019, with shooting taking place for two back-to-back films. The films finally released in 2022 (Part 1) and 2023 (Part 2) as we witnessed the magic and drama of this epic cinematic saga as it unfolds, promising to captivate audiences with its star-studded cast, visionary director, and a storyline that has stood the test of time.
