Mani Ratnam’s Ponniyin Selvan: Vinodhini Vaidyanathan shares a gratitude post as the film wraps up

Film and theatre actor Vinodhini Vaidyanathan, who has been a part of Tamil films like OK Kanmani, Appam, Ponmagal Vandhal and Game Over, has also acted in Mani Ratnam’s ambitious project Ponniyin Selvan. The film stars Aishwarya Rai Bachchan in the lead role.

The team has wrapped up the shoot. The actor reminisced on her memories of reading the epic historical novel by Kalki Krishnamoorthy. The film is named after the novel, Ponniyin Selvan. This novel is also widely regarded as the best novel in Tamil literature.

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The actor wrote a long note on her Instagram page, recalling how she grabbed the Kalki magazine from her siblings when it was unveiled. She was always eager to read the next episode and the fate of the characters. “My first impression of the book was when I was in college and started reading it casually, then was hooked, like everyone else who says they had the same experience,” read her post. The actress then described how she got hold of the English translation by the now late CV Karthik Narayanan and read up his version too.

Vinodhini added that she began listening to the audiobook of Ponniyin Selvan last year, which conjured up the world of the characters through the music. “I’m transported back to a time when Vanthiyathevan rode along the banks of the Cauvery, pregnant with her rich waters,” the post further read.

She rounded off her post with the biggest takeaway for her from the book. It was not the literary flavour or the historical accuracy 'but the allure of reading about a Tamil kingdom fraught with conspiracies, strategies, love, lust, murder and mystery, much like binge-watching a well-loved thrilling web series of these times.'

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She also shared gratitude to be a part of the cast of Mani Ratnam’s film, which is based on the landmark book. In conclusion, she shared about enjoying the process and hoped people like it too.

The film marks her third collaboration with the Raavan director after Kadal and O Kadhal Kanmani.

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan will reportedly play a double role in the film. She is expected to play princess Nandini and her queen mother Mandakini Devi.

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The big-budget film also features Vikram, Karthi, Trisha Krishnan, Prakash Raj, Jayaram, Jayam Ravi and Aishwarya Lekshmi in pivotal roles.

Aishwarya recently took to Instagram to announce the wrap of the film. The film will release in two parts. Part 1 of the film will be released in the summer of 2022.