Ponniyin Selvan – A tamil epic novel written by Kalki Krishnamoorthy.
It is basically the story of RajaRajaChozhan and how he became the King. I personally feel it is a must read novel for everyone, since it glorifies the conquest of Chola kings and the rich and vast tamil culture at those times. Also, one can know how far we were advanced in military and espionages.
But this blog is not about the novel and the rich tamil culture or advances. This blog is about a dream film, I was expecting ever since i read Ponniyin Selvan in my first year of my college. Ponniyin Selvan is a novel of many characters with different personalities. No one’s character is white or black.. There is a grey shade in everyone’s character. When Hollywood can make Lord of the rings, When Mollywood can make films like Pazhassi Raja, When Bollywood can make films like Jodhaa Akbar, we can surely make Ponniyin Selvan. But I dont want this a modern version just like Raavan (I dont like this movie). I want the film just the way the novel is, set in ancient times. We dont get those kinda films in Kollywood now.
This movie apart from a great director, should have an excellent screenplay which cant be done by a single person and which should involve writers more than directors. We will miss Sujatha for sure because Sujatha has written epic novels. But authors like Balakumaran, directors like K Bhagyaraj(He is the best screenplay writer I can think of) can help. Dialogues should be written by of course Vaali and Vairamuthu. I dont want to assign music direction to only Ilaiyaraja. I wanted Ilaiyaraja, A R Rahman to work together to compose music for this film. Direction can be done my ManiRatnam. Also skilled directors like Shankar, Selvaraagavan can work with him. And the art direction is of course by Thotthatharani.
Lets come to the characters. The Chief character in the movie is Vallavaraiyan Vandiyadevan, whom I think is a great person but he is not uno-supremo character, He has his own weaknesses(falls for Nandhini’s smile) and his own strength(Loyalty and friendship). Surya can play the role. Arulmozhivarman, everyone wanted him to be the King, he never wanted to be one, loves everyone, demands respect and I think hi’s character could be well played by Vikram. There is this AdityaKarikalan, heir to the throne, but suffering from his inner demon. Ajith played well as Susima in the film Asoka. I think he can do justice to this role. But a dubbing artist should be used for him. Then we have Kandamaaran, Parthibendra pallavan, Madhuranthakar, which can be played by Jeyam Ravi, Karthi, Prithviraj and some others(No, Not Dhanush and Simbu/STR). Still we have three more important male lead characters: 1) Sundara Cholan: The character should have an aura around him, should demand respect, should be handsome(as the name goes) and should portray the anguish, a king undergoes in choosing the heir to his throne and fighting the mistakes he had made in his young age. No person’s name comes to my mind, except KamalHaasan. 2) Periya Pazhuvettaraiyar: When Kalki describes his physique and character in this novel, your lips will be saying “Wow! what a man?!”. He is like Villain in the novel, but again he saves the day at the end. Somehow I think, Rajinikanth can do justice to this character. Villain roles are like tailor made roles for him and he had played it just like he flicks that cigarette. 3) Aazhvaarkadiyan: After reading the novel, you will end up respecting Aazhvaarkadiyan as he is the most loyal citizen to the kingdom and works with utmost courage and sincerity. The character’s physique is like Tharumi’s character in the film Thiruvilayaadhal. But this character should be strong, courageous. We will surely miss our Tamil Cinema thespians at this moment because persons like Nagesh(Tharumi), Sivaji Ganesan(Naaradhar in Saraswathi Sabadam) can handle this character very easily. But again we dont have them, we can use some other ppl.
Now comes the female lead characters. Kundhavai: The most intelligent princess, Nothing happens in the kingdom without her knowledge. I feel really bad in saying that no actress in the current tamil cinema I can think of handling this character. When I read this novel, I had Simran in my mind. Then Nandhini, the most beautiful, seductive princess plotting against the whole Chola kingdom. She single handedly tries to destroy the kingdom and she almost succeeds in that. This character should be played by some one who is extremely beautiful, should be able to play femme fatale character at ease. (Pls dont think of Aishwarya.) Then comes Poonguzhali, Arrogant, Independent woman and then also we have Vaanadhi(loves RajaRajaChozhan) and Manimekalai(so charming, so innocent that she believes what others say). I really find it hard to pin point any of the current actresses to these characters, probably actresses in tamil cinema was never given an opportunity to play such strong characters. But actresses like Revathi, Suhasini, Rohini, Radha, Ambika could have played all these characters at ease. But again a good director can bring the best in actors. So we can cast Trisha, Shreya, Nayanthara and can try to bring the best out of them. Then we have SembianMaaDevi who seems so old and fragile but so intelligent that she plans everything ahead, also a silent mother who is unable to help her own child, can be aptly played by Lakshmi and Mandhagini Devi(her love for SundaraCholan and his children, her courage, her true spirit is truly admiring) can be played by “Am-sorry-I-don’t-know”.
Apart from all these characters we have Anirudha Brahmarayar, Sendhan Amudhan, Ravidhasan, Somban Sambhavan and many more characters which can be played by the character artists we have. This movie can also involve actors like Mammotthy, Mohan Lal, Sarath Kumar, Sivakumar, Arjun. For example, Sivakumar can handle the character of Anirudha Brahmarayar, Chief Minister to the King. Arjun can play brother to Periya Paruvettaraiyar who serves his brother and stands by him and is a true warrior and sword-fighter. For some of the characters listed above, I think they can also perform well.
And to do justice to all characters in the novel, The film should be made in two parts.
This is my fantasy film and I sincerely hope such films are made in tamil cinema. Sun pictures can make such movies, since they can provide immense budget, marketing strategies(though those strategies are nerve-breaking). This film will surely be a path breaking one in Indian Cinema. Since it showcases a vast Tamil culture and our richness, all people shall leave their ego and come together to work for such films. Sincerely hoping for such a film in my life time.
P.S.: I sincerely request everyone to read this novel, it is available in almost all the book stores.
is there a possibility of bringing in “Anushka” ??
Yeah Krishna! We can bring Anushka in, she has potential and her acting in the movie “Arundhati” is quite admirable.
Would be really spectacular if such a film comes out.. To add to your account, such a film should be produced by two three production houses, sun pictures being one of them.. A Powerful script with strong production backup could burn down the egos between ppl.. Direction by Mani with Shankar, bharathi raja, Balachandar sir and some new young directors.. Music direction by Raja sir with Rahman and Yuvan would be legendary.. Kamal, Rajini (in a semi-villain role), Vijay kanth, Ajith, Suriya, Vikram and other powerful actors.. Why do I feel like I’m being shown a wonderful delicious entree that i can never lay my hands on..
Bring in Trisha, Shreya, Nayanthara? Sorry, but this film needs actors, not models.
Yeah I can understand..But I havent suggested them for the main characters, for the supporting characters. 🙂
Hi Shantha,
Much nice blog…..
While thinking about actresses, names such as Anushka, Amala pal, Hemamalini, Jyothika, Ramyakrishnan, Sadhana, Nalini (esp for villi character), Genelia, Reema sen, Sana khan, Andrea, Hansika Motwani, Kajal Agarwal (She proved herself in Magadeera) and the TV serial artist the heroin in Thendran serial, (sorry pa I forgot her name) in our Industry, just crossed my mind…. Wats ur opinion…..
Hmm Thanks Amma.. But I dont think we can choose Hansika Motwani, Sadhana, Amala Paul those gang of girls… because I am not sure whether they can carry those roles… Nalini could have handled but she is old and put on some weight now.. but Jyothika, Ramya Krishnan, Anushka can carry these roles, i suppose 🙂
great casting buddy.. if kollywood is becoming like hollywood wherein casting itself handled by dedicated experts unlike directors and producers you have good skill to become one..
one thing i found missing was the great like mammooty, mohan lal also great performers like nassar , prakash raj and many other character specialist artists
Totally agree with you. There were times when we had a department for story(Kathai Ilaakaa) in tamil cinema. Those people handle the story and similarly we had a screenplay department and a director who just executes all these things. But now Director does everything. If there is a separate crew for casting, it would be great. And Of course, we have Prakash Raj and Nasser among us who are great performers. We can use them.
i was showing this blog to one of my friend.. he said “nice efffort, but this looks like a STAR casting instead of casting right people into the roles.. he found the following people missing.. prakash raj, pashupathi, nassar, nepoleon”…
even i felt at a point the whole casting is done with two generation list of heroes and heroines..
when casting a movie i think one should look at a wider picture. i mean how does the whole casting of the movie is gonna look apart from how individual character can be fit
people will still look at a character the way the actor(the actor being a star like ajit , surya) used to perform not as a character..such a vast usage of stars will create a himalayan expectation
and how is it possible to organize so many busy people for one feature film that might possibly take a very long time to finish..
if such a star casting is done i feel only Warner Bros. , 20th century fox or Universal Pictures can produce it and survive a loss if it may occur..
and i dont think there is a need for more than one music director if it is handled by illayaraja or (AR rehman probably)..
i for sure believe illaiyaraja can handle this all alone..
as far as i have heard many say maniratnan wont do justice to the epic novel.. but i strongly believe he can do a fabulous job if he intend to take it the way the novel is actually..
and yet another person who can do the directors job equivalently well is KamalaHasan himself.
Thotathari is a great choice for art direction. i dont think anybody else can bring in the perfect classical touch to the film..
hey dude, what happened to other departments like cinematograpy, editing, sound mixing/editing, choreography, stunt coordinator, costume, visual effects etc., can we expect second part for this great blog.. 🙂
That was a good read. A different article on a blog.. Good work!
hai
to whom you suggest the character of nandini, kundavai, Poonguzhali in the cine field if they are in under project of tamil industry? Whether katrina kaif of bollywood will match any one of these characters.
if u well aware of this story means , please explain what happen to nandini after murdering karikalan ? where she died?
Such a nice blog, i very much like this novel. This novel now available for Android mobile app store also.
Great blog!
The very reason we think so much for the female roles show utter shortage of good actresses in Tamil cinema!
I can think of the following though.
Shreya can fit in for Vaanathi. She can play a sweet and stubborn role with ease.
Amala Paul/Kajal can play Manimekalai, charming and innocent role which will suit them.
Then comes the three most important roles, and here selection should be prudent 🙂
Shalini can fit in the role of Poonkuzhali. She is an excellent actress and she can carry such a role well. Another option for this role is Anjali (Angadi theru).
Kundavai role can be played by Sneha. Priyamani is another option but her acting skills are unpredictable. Nayanthara is yet another option but she needs to put in a LOT of effort.
Nandhini, by Anushka – ofcourse!
Shantha. Murali here. Nice blog man. I personally loved Ponniyin Selvan for the kind of imagination Kalki had and especially his explanation of every single character in his novel. I just couldn’t stop reading it when I started because page to page the story gets really interesting and thrilling on what’s gonna happen next. Well, this whole novel is now available as app also in phones. I have all volumes in book form also at home. I have it in my phone.
I really liked the way you have chosen actors for the characters. Hope Maniratnam can take some tips from your blog too..ha ha ha