There are three types of audiences for this film in the country: those who have read the books,
those who haven't,
and those who are familiar with the history of the Chola Kings.
The books were written 70 years ago as a serialised format for a magazine, based on the characters and events of the Chola kingdom. They include fictional characters and dramatic elements for intrigue.
The movie's screenplay is adapted from the books, with necessary changes to appeal to today's audience, similar to adaptations like "Lord of the Rings," "Harry Potter," and "Game of Thrones." However, the mentioned books take place in a fantasy world with miracles and non-human characters, while "Ponniyin Selvan" is a historical fiction set in reality.
The screenplay, written by Mani Ratnam, Jaya Mohan, and Kumaravel, feels flat and confusing for a two-part movie. It gives the impression of a rushed eight-episode TV show re-edited into a two-part film, which is very different from "Baahubali."
Vikram's portrayal of Aditha Karikalan is flawed, with overacting.
Trisha's performance as Kundavai is unbelievably phenomenal. Her look and acting are terrific.
Aishwarya Rai and Karthi get to play the most interesting characters in the movie. Aishwarya looks convincing as Nandini, albeit slightly older, and her performance is okay, but it could have been extraordinary.
Karthi doesn't meet my expectations as Vanthiyadevan.
Jayam Ravi's portrayal of Arun Moli Varman is a surprise. His performance is very good, and although I was initially disappointed with his appearance, by the end of the movie, I accepted him.
The same goes for Aishwarya Lakshmi. Many of her scenes from the book are missing, and Prakash Raj as Sundara Chola doesn't fit the role.
Jayaram as Nambi is fantastic.
Sharath Kumar, Parthiban, Kishore, Mohan Raman, Prabhu, Rahman, and Jayachitra are perfectly cast.
Shobitha as Vanathi appears very artificial, but her dancing skills are commendable.
Manimeghalai is absent from the film.
The locations feel real and exotic, while the sets and props transport us back to the 10th century. The costumes, accessories, and makeup are so well done that we forget the actors and see the real Cholas. The visual effects blend seamlessly with reality in many scenes.
The sound effects are of high quality.
The music sets the mood of the film, and the songs flow well, except for "Chola Chola." However, "Ponni Nadhi" and "Alai Kadal" are great additions to your playlist.
The Devaralanatam sequence is perfectly shot and choreographed, but "Sol" is cut out.
The cinematography by Ravi Varman is outstanding, creating world-class visuals, with only a few shots falling short.
It would be better if both movies were re-edited and released on an OTT platform as a mini-series with eight one-hour episodes.
