‘Ponniyin Selvan’ BTS video highlights grand scale of ‘Chola Chola’ track
The unit of Mani Ratnam’s ‘Ponniyin Selvan’ released a behind-the-scenes video of the second single ‘Chola Chola’, which celebrates the glory of the Chola empire.
The BTS shows Vikram, who plays Adithya Karikalan, the elder brother of Rajaraja Chola I, in the film, dancing to the number. It also shows the scale of the song, and gives an idea of the large number of dancers who are a part of it.
The BTS video also shows dance master Brindha explaining a dancing sequence to Vikram even as director Mani Ratnam looks on.
The inspiring, foot-tapping number has been rendered by Sathya Prakash, VM Mahalingam and Nakul Abhyankar and has lyrics by Ilango Krishnan.
The behind-the-scenes video, directed by Sruti Harihara Subramanian, was shot by cinematographer Anandan.
Called by Mani Ratnam as his dream project, the film, the first part of which is scheduled to hit screens on September 30, features a host of top stars, including Vikram, Aishwarya Rai, Trisha, Karthi, Jayam Ravi, Jayaram, Parthiban, Lal, Vikram Prabhu, Jayaram, Prabhu and Prakash Raj. It will be among the most expensive projects ever undertaken in the country.
A.R. Rahman is scoring the music for this epic historical and cinematography is by Ravi Varman.
National Award winning art director Thotta Tharani is in charge of production design while Mani Ratnam’s trusted editor Sreekar Prasad is handling its editing.
September releases struggling for Buzz
Liger is the next Tollywood film for which the audience are eagerly waiting for. The film is releasing tomorrow and a successful August comes to an end with Liger for Tollywood. A heap of small and medium budget films are testing their luck in September and the release dates are announced. Unfortunately, none of the films are carrying decent buzz and they are in struggling mode.
Vaisshnav Tej’s Ranga Ranga Vaibhavanga is releasing on September 2nd. The trailer was out recently but it fell short of the expectations. Jathi Ratnalu director Anudeep is presenting a small film First Day First Show and the film too is carrying low expectations. Satyadev and Tamannaah starrer Gurthunda Seethakalam is releasing on September 9th. Most of the audience are not aware about the film and its release. Kiran Abbavaram’s Nenu Meeku Baga Kavalsinavadini too is releasing on the same date and the makers are promoting the film.
Sharwanand who is struggling for success will test his luck with Oke Oka Jeevitham. The film sounds to be an emotional entertainer and the audience are not much interested about the film. None of the promotional content was impressive. Ranbir Kapoor’s Brahmastra is also releasing on September 9th. Vishal will test his luck with Laththi and the film releases on September 15th. Sudheer Babu and Krithi Shetty starrer Aa Ammayi Gurinchi Meeku Cheppali is releasing on September 16th. Regina and Nivetha Thomas starrer Saakini Daakini
will be in theatres on 16th.
Sree Vishnu’s Alluri will release on September 23rd. Naga Shaurya’s long-delayed own film Krishna Vrinda Vihari too will release on 23rd. Mani Ratnam’s Ponniyin Selvan: Part-1 will release on September 30th. For now, none of the films are carrying terrific buzz and are kept in the watchlist of the audience among the September releases. We have to wait to see if they will change with the trailer of the films and the promotional content.
PS-1 Movie Press Meet
Ten Tollywood Releases in September
August turned out to be a huge relief for Telugu cinema and three films Bimbisara, Sita Ramam and Karthikeya 2 have been declared as blockbusters during this dull phase of Tollywood. All eyes are now focused on Vijay Deverakonda’s Liger and the film will head for a pan-Indian release on August 25th across the globe. Now, September is heading for a mad rush and there would be ten small films releasing in this month. Young actors Sharwanand, Naga Shaurya, Vaisshnav Tej, Sree Vishnu, Sudheer Babu, Kiran Abbavaram and Satyadev are testing their luck in September. Here is the release chart of the month:
September 2nd: Ranga Ranga Vaibhavanga.
September 9th: Oke Oka Jeevitham, Gurthunda Seetakalam and Nenu Meeku Baaga Kavalsinavaadini.
September 15th: Laththi (Vishal’s Dubbed Film).
September 16th: Aa Ammayi Gurinchi Meeku Cheppali and Saakini Daakini.
September 23rd: Alluri and Krishna Vrinda Vihari.
September 30th: Ponniyan Selvan 1 (Mani Ratnam’s Dubbed Film)
Makeup at 2:30 a.m. and first shot at 6: Mani Ratnam makes two-part epic in 120 days
Tamil actor Karthi, who plays the pivotal character of Vanthiya Devan in Mani Ratnam’s much-awaited magnum opus, ‘Ponniyin Selvan’, says that the ace director has completed shooting both parts of the film in a matter of just 120 days.
Speaking at the launch of the first single, ‘Ponni Nadhi’, from the film, Karthi said the song is about a river. “All civilisations have started in rivers. Then, it was Ponni. Now, it is Cauvery. Every river has its own characteristics. Rivers have inspired poets. They have been a motivating force for even common people like us.
“When lots of people were saying that we cannot make a film on the scale of ‘Ponniyin Selvan’, we started. Then Covid struck. When we were perplexed, just like how a river knows to find its way to the sea, we knew Mani sir knew how to take this film to its logical end.
“We all went and stood with Mani sir and worked. In a matter of just 120 days, he completed both ‘Ponniyin Selvan 1’ and ‘Ponniyin Selvan 2’. It is not easy to make two films in 120 days.
“We would put our makeup at 2-2.30 a.m. There would be 30 people waiting ready to put makeup for us. Nobody would sleep. At 6.30 in the morning, we would take the first shot.
“Working on this film was like a dream. To make another film like this, a director would have to be born. Only Mani sir can do this.”
