Amid a historic run in cinemas across borders, acclaimed filmmaker Mani Ratnam’s magnum opus Ponniyin Selvan ran into trouble when a Chennai lawyer contacted the police and filed a complaint against the director over a mistake depicting a character and distorting history.
According to our sources, a Chennai-based lawyer, Charles Alexander, has forwarded his complaint to the Chennai Police Commissioner. A resident of Anna Nagar in the city, Alexander practices Lawyer at the Madras High Court and in his complaint he claimed that the role of Vanthiyathevan, played by actor Karthi, was misrepresented in Ponniyin Selvan and that action must be taken against Mani Ratnam.
The lawyer said that the story had been distorted in Ponniyin Selvan and in particular the role of Vandhiyathevan was misrepresented as if he was a romantic king who flirted with all women. By citing that Vandhiyathevan was a central warrior of the Chola dynasty, Alexander claimed that Mani Ratnam sent the people a wrong message about Vandhiyathevan by misrepresenting his character.
He further claimed that the director also concealed the true history of the Chola Dynasty, which was engraved in the inscription of the Brihadeeswara Temple in Thanjavur built by Raja Raja Cholan. For these reasons, the lawyer has urged Chennai Police to take action against Mani Ratnam. His complaint came at a time when the film is setting an all-time record in all countries.
The iconic novel of Tamil literature, Ponniyin Selvan written by Kalki was filmed under the same name in two parts by Mani Ratnam. The first part of Ponniyin Selvan was released on September 30th and the film was well received by people of all ages. Historically, the film has earned Rs 80 crore worldwide on day one.
It has now been reported that Ponniyin Selvan has grossed over Rs 200 crore in the first three days as there has been a surge in viewership over the weekend. Lyca Productions, which financed the film, said on Monday October 3 that the film has grossed over Rs. 200 crore worldwide. The production house took to Twitter and wrote: “Go ahead and make history! Thank you from the bottom of our hearts to all the audience who showered us with love.”
March on and make history!
We would like to thank all viewers from the bottom of our hearts who showered us with love ❤️ ✨
catch #PS1 in cinemas near you!#PonniyinSelvan1 #ManiRatnam @arrahman @MadrasTalkies_ @LycaProductions @tipsofficial @tippsmusicsouth pic.twitter.com/3Fs21IX5k4
— Lyca Productions (@LycaProductions) October 3, 2022
