Team Ponniyin Selvan met a select set of Media Personnel at an exclusive session of interaction…
Excerpts from that event…
It seems that the film “Ponniyin Selvan” was not made for so many years is something significant and as far as that aspect is concerned, we are lucky!
– Director Mani Ratnam
Speaking at the press conference for Ponni’s Selvan-1, the film crew observed the following…
When director Mani Ratnam spoke,
The ornaments used in MGR and Sivaji’s historical films are of Greek style. But, I have studied and researched a lot and used it in this film. No ornaments when going into battle. The clothes are made of leather without metal. Accordingly, I have used it in this film as well.
We decided to get the dialogue done in pure Tamil first but it was a challenge to speak fluently and the feelings couldn’t be conveyed! So, we changed it to a style that could be spoken easily. But when Jayamohan wrote, he wrote in pure Tamil.
I have also read Ponni’s Selvan and I interpreted it to suit the screen! The main players read the book for so many days, until the shooting began.
The song ‘Sundari Kannal Oru Cheidhi’ from the film Thalapathy can be used as a trailer for the film. I will be using the role of Poonguzhali from Ponni’s Selvan in that song. Apart from that I have not taken anything else in my previous films.
There are no changes it was like having complete freedom. You can make 2 parts without having to tell the story in one film. It is welcome note that people are willing to accept it.
It was convenient to shoot Ponni’s Selvan film. It seems that it was right not to take it for so many years.
While choosing the actors and actresses for the film, I thought carefully and decided that who all would be suitable for this role. It has come right.
For this story of Kalki, Jayam Mohan and Kumaravel supported me.
The shooting of the second part of the film has also been completed. All that remains is post-production work.
Also, many scenes cannot be visualized as they are in the book. It cannot be understood. Therefore, I have adapted the script to suit the scenes according to cinema format so that everyone can easily understand them.
It must be so unpredictable about me that Mani Ratnam would make a film like this. I’m just thinking of getting out of it.
If Rajini is cast, both Kalki and Rajini will be stuck with the fans. So I said no to him.
If you took it 20 years ago, you would have to look for poles for promotion.
Don’t predict the whole movie after watching the trailer. Only after watching the whole movie, you should lodge your complaints. I will not see the negative reviews that come in excess of that.
Trisha spoke Tamil very well. Indi Rekha was the perfect choice for the role of Nandini that day. Now it is Aishwarya Rai who looks the best.
Jayamohan Tamil was simple to speak and the cast found it easy simple! His contribution to the film is highly valuable. Everything can be said in writing; but in cinema a character has to be told through body language and dialogue delivery. Jayamohan did it well.
The only thing I was afraid of during the Corona period was that actors and actresses would get fat. No gyms. But they worked hard for it.
When actor Karthi spoke,
We see a lot of animals in Western films. But very little comes in Tamil. Therefore, Jayam Ravi and I were talking that they will come to the film mainly to see the horses and the elephants.
A horse will only listen to us, only if we get used to it. I already know horse riding. But, during the Corona period, the same horse could not be taken to all places. I used to have around 6 to 7 horses.
If the horse turns its ears back, it means it is listening. If there it is in front, it means that we are not being listened to. So we kept talking to the horses. A red horse is always stalling!
There were doubts & questions as to how to get into the skin of the character. It was Mani Sir who gave me hope. However, when I acted with female characters like Kundavai and Nandini, I acted with responsibility.
I fell off my horse while shooting. But Mani sir said I will use it where I need it.
The discussion on Twitter started as a game. But, I didn’t think it would go viral like this.
This is a film about our history. Does everyone know what Raja Raja Cholan was like at that time? I asked Mani Sir. He said that there was no photograph then so many people did not know him. No one can portray like Jayaram Sir.
All the jewellery used and worn by us for the film is authentic! It was a challenge to carry them on ourselves physically as they were heavy!
Vandhiya Devan is fearless and would get into trouble but still manage to wriggle out! It was a learning experience!
Vikram Prabhu’s address…
One should go after a director in cinema. So, I did as Mani Sir said. Do this as you see fit, leaving the rest to me. He also gave me the freedom to take whatever I wanted.
I wanted to act in a good film starring my father. He said he was happy that it happened on the first day of shoot with Mani Sir.
Actor Rahman’s speech-
It can only be guessed that this is how the parties in the book would have talked at that time. Between then and now the reality has changed. But Mani Sir gave the verses according to what it would be like to speak in this period.
The role I was given was a great role. He said he couldn’t ask for anything more!
When actress Trisha spoke,
We did our homework for 6 months and tested many views. In the end, we came up with the filter that this is the right one for Kundavai.
After reading the verses, it did not enter the mouth. I rehearsed a lot. Mani Sir was very helpful in pronouncing the verses correctly. On the very first day of shooting, they shot scenes with me and Ash. That’s when we started talking well. But, Mani sir, you two should not be so friendly. He said that the footage would not come out right!
There will be full clothes, lots of jewellery and not too much of acting. But, taking a break was a big challenge! Excess weight can cause earache. Can’t even drink water!
The film also has romance scenes. But whether a character will become iconic will be known only when the film is released and everyone is talking about it.
In the film, the men also took more time to do their make-up as compared to the women. He said everyone will start applying makeup at 2.30 am for the 7 am shoot.
When actor Jayam Ravi addressed,
I have curly hair. You have to grow your hair long for this movie. I have videotaped it in slow motion to make sure I never get another chance like this.
What are you going to do next? Even my brother asked.
However, that’s what I thought too. I asked Mani Sir about this. He said he would do something better. I don’t know if a better film can be made than this. However, with the experiences I have learned in this film, I am confident that I will do better in whatever I do next.
Whenever we get tired we look at Mani Sir. He will keep running. He said, “Let us go and work diligently for what we have when he himself works ceaselessly.”
