Ponniyin Selvan: Part I
The Chola kingdom is under threat from forces both internal and external, and with crown prince Aaditha Karikalan, his younger brother Arunmozhi Varman and the emperor, Sundara Cholar separated by situations, it is up to a messenger to ensure the safety of the kingdom. Can he succeed in his mission, especially with Karikalan's former girlfriend, Nandhini, plotting to bring down the entire Chola empire?
Directed by Mani Ratnam · Action · Adventure · History · 167 min · 2022
Director
Mani Ratnam
Studio
Madras Talkies / Lyca Productions
Release
2022-09-30
Runtime
167 min
Genres
Action, Adventure, History
Full Plot
In 10th century Chola Empire, Emperor Sundara Chola's reign is threatened by a domestic coup led by his finance minister Periya Pazhuvettaraiyar and several disgruntled chieftains. Crown Prince Aditha Karikalan's trusted lieutenant Vallavaraiyan Vandiyadevan uncovers the plot while on a mission to warn Sundara Chola, using deceitful means to gain access to the palace. The conspirators aim to elevate Madhurantakan to the throne upon Sundara Chola's death.
Cast & Characters
Nandini / Oomai Rani
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan
Young Adithya
Santhosh
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan in a dual role:
as Nandini (Voice-over by Deepa Venkat)
Young Nandini
Sara Arjun
as Mandakini Devi ("Oomai Rani")
Vanathi (Voice-over by Smruthi K)
Sobhita Dhulipala
Did You Know?
Made on an estimated budget of $29.5M, Ponniyin Selvan: Part I has grossed $59.0M worldwide — about 2.0x its budget.
Source: TMDb API · verified 2026-08-02
Ponniyin Selvan: Part I is part of TMDb's "Ponniyin Selvan Collection."
Source: TMDb API · verified 2026-08-02
Mani Ratnam has directed 16 films in our catalog, including Kannathil Muthamittal, O Kadhal Kanmani.
Source: theIReview.com catalog · verified 2026-08-02
Released worldwide on September 30.
Source: Wikipedia · verified 2026-09-06
Was initially scheduled for a summer release in 2022, but was postponed due to production works.
Source: Wikipedia · verified 2026-09-06
Became the first Tamil film to be released in IMAX format.
Source: Wikipedia · verified 2026-09-06
Had a limited Canadian release in select private theatres amidst protection from law enforcement.
Source: Wikipedia · verified 2026-09-06
Critical Assessment
Ponniyin Selvan: Part I holds 7.1/10 on TMDb (97 votes). (OMDb had no record for this title — sourced from TMDb instead.)
Not enough independent critic/audience score breakdown available.
Ratings as of August 5, 2026
Where to Watch
United States
United Kingdom
India
Streaming data from JustWatch via TMDb. Availability changes often — confirm on the provider before watching.
AI Verdict
AI-generatedBased on TMDb's aggregated score (7.1/10 on TMDb (97 votes)), this is a data-driven snapshot rather than an editorial take.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Ponniyin Selvan: Part I's Rotten Tomatoes score?+
Ponniyin Selvan: Part I holds a 87% critics' score on Rotten Tomatoes.
What is Ponniyin Selvan: Part I's IMDb rating?+
Ponniyin Selvan: Part I has a 7.6/10 rating on IMDb from 37,168 votes.
Is Ponniyin Selvan: Part I good? What are critics saying?+
Ponniyin Selvan: Part I holds 7.1/10 on TMDb (97 votes). (OMDb had no record for this title — sourced from TMDb instead.)
How long is Ponniyin Selvan: Part I?+
Ponniyin Selvan: Part I has a runtime of 167 min.
Who directed Ponniyin Selvan: Part I?+
Ponniyin Selvan: Part I was directed by Mani Ratnam.
Where can I watch Ponniyin Selvan: Part I?+
Ponniyin Selvan: Part I is available to stream, rent, or buy on Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Amazon Video.
Fan & Critic Buzz
Ponniyin Selvan: Part I received widespread critical acclaim for its direction, musical score, technical aspects, and cast performances. Reviewers praised Mani Ratnam's adaptation of Kalki's novel, noting that he retained the story's essence while avoiding unnecessary amplification or simplification. The film was commended for its visual grandeur, cinematography, and performances, with many reviewers awarding it high scores.
Source: Wikipedia — Critical reception (CC BY-SA)
