Ponniyin Selvan: I

Ponniyin Selvan: I

In the 10th century, the Chola Empire enjoys unprecedented expansion under the ailing Emperor Sundara Chola. His eldest son, Crown Prince Aditha Karikalan, commands the northern front from Kanchi, while his younger son, Arulmozhi Varman, leads an imperial military expedition in Lanka. Following a decisive victory over the rival Rashtrakuta dynasty, Karikalan senses an impending domestic coup. He dispatches his charismatic, trusted lieutenant, Vallavaraiyan Vandiyadevan, a prince of the fallen Vana clan, on a clandestine mission to investigate the political climate, ordering him to deliver critical messages to Sundara Chola in Thanjavur and Karikalan's sister, Princess Kundavai, in Pazhayarai. During his journey, Vandiyadevan secures lodging at the fort of a Chola vassal in Kadambur. There, he uncovers a treasonous council orchestrated by Periya Pazhuvettaraiyar, the imperial finance minister, and several disgruntled chieftains. The conspirators plot to bypass Karikalan and elevate Madhurantakan, the emperor's cousin, to the Chola throne upon Sundara Chola's death. In tandem, Vandiyadevan encounters Azhwarkkadiyan Nambi, a traveling Vaishnavite spy who is tracking his estranged foster sister, Nandini. Nandini, harboring a deep-seated hatred for the Chola royal bloodline, has climbed the ranks of power by marrying the much older Periya Pazhuvettaraiyar, using her position to manipulate the council of conspirators from the shadows.

Director

Mani Ratnam

Release

30 Sep 2022

Run time

167 min

Language

Tamil