Ponniyin Selvan (upcoming film)

In 1958, M. G. Ramachandran announced Ponniyin Selvan, a film adaptation of Kalki Krishnamurthy's historical novel of the same name. Ramachandran bought the film rights to the novel for ₹10,000 (equivalent to ₹770,000 or US$11,000 in 2019), and would produce, direct and star in the adaptation, which would feature an ensemble cast including Vyjayanthimala, Gemini Ganesan, Padmini, Savitri, B. Saroja Devi, M. N. Rajam, T. S. Balaiah, M. N. Nambiar, O. A. K. Thevar and V. Nagaiah. Before shooting could begin, Ramachandran met with an accident, and the wound took six months to heal; Ramachandran was unable to continue with the film even after renewing the rights four years later.[23][24]

In a January 1994 interview with Filmfare, Mani Ratnam stated that adapting the novel was one of his "dream projects" that he had hoped to work on during his career. Ratnam revealed that he worked on a first draft of the film alongside actor-director Kamal Haasan, who had bought the rights of the novel, but the pair shelved their plan as the project did not make financial sense at the time.[25][24]

In late 2010, Ratnam renewed his interest in the project and worked alongside writer Jeyamohan to finalise the script for the film adaptation of Ponniyin Selvan. Expected to be made in the Tamil and Telugu languages at a cost of ₹100 crores, Ratnam planned to produce the film himself initially, with the intention of teaming up with a bigger production house later on in the film-making process.[26] Technicians including composer A. R. Rahman, cinematographer Santosh Sivan, editor A. Sreekar Prasad and art director Sabu Cyril were soon after attached to the project.

Ratnam cast Vijay in the leading role of Arulmozhi Varman, who later becomes the Chola emperor Rajaraja I. After signing the film, Vijay called it a "privilege" and a "dream come true" to be working with Ratnam for the first time.[27] Mahesh Babu was cast in another leading role in the project, and also expressed his delight at being selected by Ratnam.[28] Arya also joined the project to play a third leading male role after the script was narrated to him.[29] Meanwhile, Sathyaraj was signed to play a supporting role in the film.[30] During the course of the casting process, Ratnam had also considered other actors including Vikram, Suriya and Vishal but they eventually did not make the final cast.[31] For the leading female roles, the team finalised Anushka Shetty for a role and held discussions with Priyanka Chopra in regard to another character.[32][33]

Seven days before the scheduled start of the shoot, a photoshoot for the film was held in Chennai featuring Vijay and Mahesh Babu.[34] For the shoot, the team sought permission from the officials of Mysore Palace and Lalitha Mahal to film sequences. However, their requests were denied with palace officials keen to keep film crews away from the historic locations.[35] The film was later shelved before the start of the filming stage, as the expected cost of production escalated. Jeyamohan stated that the film did not materialise as the team struggled to find available locations to shoot the film. He revealed that temple officials in Tamil Nadu refused to allow the team to film scenes on the premises and that the expensive cost of producing replica sets meant that it would not be a viable solution.[36]

In January 2019, Ratnam decided to revive Ponniyin Selvan after Lyca Productions, who earlier collaborated with him in Chekka Chivantha Vaanam (2018), agreed to fund the film.[37] While Vikram,[38] Vijay Sethupathi and Jayam Ravi decided to play the lead roles, along with Silambarasan in a crucial role,[39] Amitabh Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan too assigned the project; the former playing the role of Sundara Chola in the film.[40] Composer A. R. Rahman, screenwriter Jeyamohan and editor Sreekar Prasad, were retained in the new version. In April 2019, a major change in the film's cast took place, with Sethupathi opting out of the project due to schedule conflicts,[41] thus being replaced by Karthi,[42] and Keerthy Suresh and Nayanthara were included in the film's cast,[43] working with Ratnam for the first time.[44][45] This resulted in Silambarasan opting out of the project, citing his previous relationship with the actress did not go well.[46] Later due to schedule conflicts, Nayanthara opted out of the project. Aishwarya Rai, later herself confirmed her inclusion in the project, at the Cannes Film Festival.[47][48][49] Anushka Shetty, who has been part of the film's old version, officially signed the project.[50][51] Actress Amala Paul, too confirmed being a part of the film.[52][53][54] Vikram, who is one of the principle lead characters in the film, too confirmed his part.[55][56][57] Veteran actors R. Parthiban and Jayaram were also reported to join the film's cast.[58][59][60]

In June 2019, Elango Kumaravel announced that he will co-write the screenplay for this version with Ratnam and Jeyamohan.[61] Ratnam decided to retain cinematographer Santhosh Sivan for this project. However, his unavailability made the director to sign on Ravi Varman. Varman, was working for Indian 2, directed by S. Shankar, before signing the film's project. But the latter's delay made Varman to quit the film, making him available for Ponniyin Selvan.[62] In September 2019, Ratnam confirmed that he will be working with the composer and lyricist duo Rahman and Vairamuthu, who were a part of Ratnam's frequent collaborations since Roja (1992). However, it received huge displeasure from netizens, as the latter was accused of sexual misconduct and harassment by several women singers and artists from the Tamil film industry.[63][64] This also resulted in Anushka Shetty opting out of the project.[65][66] Art director Thota Tharani signed the new version of the project, thus replacing Sabu Cyril, who worked in the old version.[67][68] Costume designer Eka Lakhani travelled to Thanjavur temples to study sculptures, meet weavers, and understand the heritage before starting the process of designing.[69][70]

Ratnam announced that the film's shoot will take place across Tamil Nadu and Thailand,[71][72] and as per his advice, several actors from the film including Vikram, Jayam Ravi, Karthi grew their hair long for their roles in the film.[73][74][75] In October 2019, Ashwin Kakumanu announced his inclusion in the project.[76][77] Actor Lal, shared a picture of him along with Ratnam, raising expectations about the film.[78][79] He further confirmed his inclusion, stating that he will play the role of an aged warrior in the film.[80][81] Prior to the film's shoot,[82] Ratnam went on a location recce across Thailand,[83] and a few reports stated on choosing Thailand as the primary spot, since its rich forests and the temples there resemble the 9th-century feel in which the story is set.[83] Another major change in the film's cast happened, with Amala Paul and Keerthy Suresh opting out of the film. While the former, stated call sheet issues as the reason,[84] the latter cited the she was roped in for Annaatthe.[85] However, a few addition in the film's cast took place, with Trisha,[86] Aishwarya Lekshmi and Vikram Prabhu were reportedly signed in the film.[87] In April 2020, Ratnam announced that the film would be released in two-parts.[88][89]

The story thread of Ponniyin Selvan spans years and more than 50 characters,[90] with 15 principal roles.[91] The older version of Ratnam's film adaptation had Vijay playing Arulmozhivarman alias Rajaraja I alias Ponniyin Selvan, one of the two protagonists, whom the novel is named,[27] and Mahesh Babu playing as Vallavaraiyan Vandiyadevan,[28] the second protagonist.[92] After the project was revived, the roles went to Karthi and Jayam Ravi respectively. It was later reported that Aishwarya Rai Bachchan will play dual roles in the film, as Nandini, the main antagonist of the novel, and her mute mother, queen Mandakini Devi.[93] For his role as Azhwarkadiyan Nambi, Jayaram was sported a bald look in the film.[94] Trisha was essayed the role of Kundavai alias Ilaya Piratti.[95] For the role of Poonkuzhali, Aishwarya Lekshmi learnt to rowing, as the character Poonkuzhali is a boat woman in the novel.[96] Post shooting being suspended due to lockdown, Trisha trained for horse riding at the Madras School of Equitation,[97] where she was enrolled for a special course on 26 October 2020, and completed within 14 November 2020.[98]

Principal photography began on 11 December 2019 at Thailand, where the crew planned its shooting schedule for 40 days.[99][100] After completing the first schedule in January 2020, the team planned to shoot the second schedule in Chennai,[101] but later moved to Puducherry. The second schedule of shooting took place on 3 February 2020 in Puducherry, and completed within six days.[102][103] Then the team moved to Hyderabad for the next schedule, on 10 February,[104] where the entire team planned to shoot at Ramoji Film City. The second schedule was wrapped up on 26 February 2020.[105] It was reported that, Karthi faced an accident while he was shooting in Hyderabad, where he was thrown up in the air, while riding a horse, however he faced only minor injuries.[106] As of March 2020, the makers shot the major portion of the film for 90 days before shooting being interrupted due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[107]

In September 2020, Ratnam eventually planned to resume the shoot at Sri Lanka,[108] but due to restrictions on international travel,[109] it was difficult for the team to get permission from the officials to resume the shoot.[110] Hence, Ratnam decided to shoot major portions of the film in India.[111] Ratnam wanted to shoot major portions in Hyderabad, Jaisalmer, Jaipur, Madhya Pradesh and many prominent locations across India.[111] Although the team eventually planned to shoot the film in mid-November,[112] Mani Ratnam refused to start the shoot earlier,[113] He eventually stated that, despite government allowed permission for film shootings, it was advised that the film's shooting must have minimal crew members, with not more than 75 people working on the film. Since, Mani Ratnam stated that 500 people will be featured in the film's shoot, it is difficult for shooting in mid-2020.[114]

On 10 December 2020, a minor schedule of the film took place in Pollachi, featuring the lead actors.[115] The team stated that the major schedule of the film will take place in January 2021, and was touted to be the biggest schedule, which will be wrapped up within a single stretch.[115] Vikram was reported to be present in the schedule, after completing the shoot for Cobra (2021).[116] After a nine-month long hiatus,[117] the shooting for the film was resumed on 6 January 2021 at Ramoji Film City, Hyderabad.[118] The major schedule featured the attendance of Sarathkumar,[119] Aishwarya Rai Bachchan,[120] Trisha,[121] Rahman,[122] Prakash Raj,[123] Parthiepan and Mohan Raman.[124]

On 3 February 2021, the makers shot for a special number featuring Trisha and 250 other artists at a huge set constructed at Ramoji Film City.[125] The art direction team, supervised by Thotta Tharani, had constructed five huge sets in the shooting location.[125] According to the executive producer Siva Ananth, the lead cast members began shooting for the portions in Hyderabad, excluding Vikram, who earlier shot for the portions in January, and was reported to join the sets in between a brief break during the schedule.[126]