Ponniyin Selvan: A fantasy - Part I
Content warning: This is neither a review of the book, nor a narration of its plot. It is just my very own fantasy.
Ever since I read sir Kalki's Ponniyin Selvan about two years ago, I have fancied a movie based on the plot and its characters. Two attempts have been made over the last sixty years, but both have failed to take off. The first one was in the 1960's with MGR in the lead (apparently the actor was going to direct the movie). The second one was in 2010's with Dr. Vijay (pun intended) in the lead. Mani Ratnam was to direct the movie and if he had, I would have declared a fatwa on him. Thanks to A.R. Rahman who saved us from this agony.
We probably have passed the times this novel of epic scale can be turned into a movie and in my humble opinion, stage plays, curt and curtained as they are, can never do justice to this 2500 page epic that spans across at least 300 years and two countries. So, I just keep fantasizing it my head and here it is for your reading pleasure and to indulge in your own fantasies.
The characters:
Vallavarayan Vanthiyathevan: This happy-go-lucky protagonist is the one character that makes the book an engaging read. He is a man without plan who flows like water twisting and turning when needed. Only one man could ever play this role. It is Sivaji Ganesan.
Raja Raja Cholan: Strangely in the book that was named after his character, the king lacked charisma and space. However, he had good chemistry with Vanthiyathevan and for that reason, it should be played by Gemini Ganesan who has played supporting roles in a few of Sivaji Ganesan's movie.
Kundavai Nachiyar: The sister of Raja Raja Cholan and love of Vanthiyathevan had good presence in the book and great chemistry with the protagonist. Hands down Padmini.
Aazhvarkadiyan: Whenever the plot got thick and words heavy, this character made it go easy. The tinge of humour it provides to the book, elevates the read. None other than Nagesh for this role.
Nandini: The most powerful antagonist that was ever written. There were times when I loved this character more than that of Vanthiyathevan. In a go, she takes on Vanthiyathevan, Raja Raja Cholan, Aadhita Karikalan and periya Pazhuvettaraiyar. I can only think of Savitri to do this.
Periya Pazhuvettaraiyar: Old, confused, but in power. No one else can portray confusion as much as S.A. Ashokan.
Chinna Pazhuvettaraiyar: No brains, but a lot of muscle. The old villain R.S. Manohar.
Poonguzhali: Another adorable character who falls in love with Raja Raja Cholan and fails to express it till the last page. K.R. Vijaya in younger years would have fir perfectly.
Madhuranthakan: Coward. T.S. Balaiah
Chendan Amudhan: Innocent. Muthuraman.
Ravidasan: Cunning. V.K. Ramasamy.
Aadhita Karikalan: Stubborn, Stupid, Rude, confused and in love. S.S. Rajendran.
Parthibendra Pallavan: Sensible, but Reluctant. Major Sundarrajan.
Sundara Cholar: Old, diseased and bed ridden. V.S. Raghavan.
Karikalan's friend, Sambuaraiyar's son(forgot the name of the character): Torn between friendship and loyalty. Sivakumar.
Vanathi: Beautiful. Devika.
Only one man could handle such an all-star cast and he is none other than A.P. Nagarajan. Besides that, he is the only man who could do justice to the plot and the language. He has done it innumerous times. I also wish he made a quintet. One movie each for the five volumes of the book.
K.V. Mahadevan could score. T.M. Soundarajan, Sirkazhi Chidambaram, T.S. Mahalingam, and Sushila could lend their voices. K.S. Prasad, APN's favourite cinematographer could shoot.
What an experience it would be !
As you can see, we are past the times such a movie could be made. But we can fantasize, can't we?
Ever since I read sir Kalki's Ponniyin Selvan about two years ago, I have fancied a movie based on the plot and its characters. Two attempts have been made over the last sixty years, but both have failed to take off. The first one was in the 1960's with MGR in the lead (apparently the actor was going to direct the movie). The second one was in 2010's with Dr. Vijay (pun intended) in the lead. Mani Ratnam was to direct the movie and if he had, I would have declared a fatwa on him. Thanks to A.R. Rahman who saved us from this agony.
We probably have passed the times this novel of epic scale can be turned into a movie and in my humble opinion, stage plays, curt and curtained as they are, can never do justice to this 2500 page epic that spans across at least 300 years and two countries. So, I just keep fantasizing it my head and here it is for your reading pleasure and to indulge in your own fantasies.
The characters:
Vallavarayan Vanthiyathevan: This happy-go-lucky protagonist is the one character that makes the book an engaging read. He is a man without plan who flows like water twisting and turning when needed. Only one man could ever play this role. It is Sivaji Ganesan.
Raja Raja Cholan: Strangely in the book that was named after his character, the king lacked charisma and space. However, he had good chemistry with Vanthiyathevan and for that reason, it should be played by Gemini Ganesan who has played supporting roles in a few of Sivaji Ganesan's movie.
Kundavai Nachiyar: The sister of Raja Raja Cholan and love of Vanthiyathevan had good presence in the book and great chemistry with the protagonist. Hands down Padmini.
Aazhvarkadiyan: Whenever the plot got thick and words heavy, this character made it go easy. The tinge of humour it provides to the book, elevates the read. None other than Nagesh for this role.
Nandini: The most powerful antagonist that was ever written. There were times when I loved this character more than that of Vanthiyathevan. In a go, she takes on Vanthiyathevan, Raja Raja Cholan, Aadhita Karikalan and periya Pazhuvettaraiyar. I can only think of Savitri to do this.
Periya Pazhuvettaraiyar: Old, confused, but in power. No one else can portray confusion as much as S.A. Ashokan.
Chinna Pazhuvettaraiyar: No brains, but a lot of muscle. The old villain R.S. Manohar.
Poonguzhali: Another adorable character who falls in love with Raja Raja Cholan and fails to express it till the last page. K.R. Vijaya in younger years would have fir perfectly.
Madhuranthakan: Coward. T.S. Balaiah
Chendan Amudhan: Innocent. Muthuraman.
Ravidasan: Cunning. V.K. Ramasamy.
Aadhita Karikalan: Stubborn, Stupid, Rude, confused and in love. S.S. Rajendran.
Parthibendra Pallavan: Sensible, but Reluctant. Major Sundarrajan.
Sundara Cholar: Old, diseased and bed ridden. V.S. Raghavan.
Karikalan's friend, Sambuaraiyar's son(forgot the name of the character): Torn between friendship and loyalty. Sivakumar.
Vanathi: Beautiful. Devika.
Only one man could handle such an all-star cast and he is none other than A.P. Nagarajan. Besides that, he is the only man who could do justice to the plot and the language. He has done it innumerous times. I also wish he made a quintet. One movie each for the five volumes of the book.
K.V. Mahadevan could score. T.M. Soundarajan, Sirkazhi Chidambaram, T.S. Mahalingam, and Sushila could lend their voices. K.S. Prasad, APN's favourite cinematographer could shoot.
What an experience it would be !
As you can see, we are past the times such a movie could be made. But we can fantasize, can't we?
Comments
you Missed One Character, she Was Manimehalai(Sambuvarayar's daughter).
who felt real love with vanhiyatheven And Finaly Died In vallavarayan's lab
who expressed a real love MOre then Kundavi ,vanathi and poonguzhali.