Maniratnam's dream project Ponniyin Selvan part 1 is releasing on September 30 amidst huge expectations across the world. The film is releasing in various languages as a pan India entertainer and the Kollywood film fraternity is confident that it would break all the Baahubali records. The film has a star-studded cast of Vikram, Karthi, Aishwarya Rai, Jayam Ravi, Trisha, Aiswarya Lakshmi, and Ashwin Kakamanu in pivotal roles and Rahman scored the music for the film.
However much to the disappointment of all, except for the film's Tamil version, bookings are not that encouraging for the other versions. Many are of the opinion that Ponniyin Selvan lacks pan India flavor and it is difficult for the makers to scale the Baahubali heights. At the best, they can aim to become the highest grosser in the Tamil film industry. Currently, Shankar-Rajinikanth's 2.0 is holding the record grossing around Rs800crs.
Unlike Rajamouli who readied the pan India market and included stars like Satyaraj from the Tamil industry, Sudeep from the Kannada industry in Baahubali to connect chords with the movie lovers across the world with a folklore story, Maniratnam's Ponniyin Selvan deals with the Chola Kings who ruled the South region and all the star cast except for Aishwarya Rai happens from the film industry. It has to be seen how Maniratnam without pan India appeal can create magic across the world with Ponniyin Selvan.