Karthi shared this image. (courtesy: karthi_offl)

Mumbai:

South star Karthi says all of the actors engaged on Mani Ratnam’s “Ponniyin Selvan” put their finest foot ahead to make a movie that will probably be remembered for years to return.

The film boasts of a star-studded solid together with Karthi, Vikram, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Jayam Ravi, Trisha, Sobhita Dhulipala and Prakash Raj.

Karthi mentioned the staff spent about 130 days capturing for the two-part epic, gave it their all and continuously inspired each other to do higher as a result of a cinematic expertise like that is uncommon.

“All of us have a feeling that we have spent a lot of time on this film. We did it with a lot of love. We know that these kinds of films don’t happen often. So, from the very first day, we were cherishing every moment.

“We have been like a cricket staff, the place the opening batsman has to do effectively, the center order must be good, and the bowlers must be good too. So, we have been at all times searching for one another as a result of each needed to do their half effectively for the movie to be good. This movie goes to be remembered for a really very long time,” the 45-year-old actor told PTI in an interview.

Having worked like a close-knit family, Karthi said he developed a great relationship with everyone.

“The camaraderie, the connection that we share may be very very particular for us,” he added.

Based on Kalki Krishnamurthy’s 1955 novels, the Tamil historical drama chronicles the story of the early days of Arulmozhivarman, a powerful king of the south who went on to become the great Chola emperor Rajaraja Chola I.

Karthi essays the role of Vanthiyathevan, a brave and adventurous warrior in the film, whose second part will hit the screens on Friday.

The actor, who has been around for close to two decades in the movie industry, said he was under pressure to live up to the expectations of the fans of the “Ponniyin Selvan” books.

“For me, it examined all that I’ve learnt in my profession. This story itself is successful and the characters are huge stars from the e-book itself. So, we needed to be sure to delivered it effectively. It shouldn’t be straightforward to face stress.

“Like, if there are ten lakh people who have read (the novel), there are ten lakh imaginations. So, converting a novel to a movie is not simple. But to achieve it with the help of Mani sir gives (you) a lot more confidence in your craft,” the actor, recognized for “Paiyaa”, “Naan Mahaan Alla”, “Siruthai” and “Kaithi”, mentioned.

Karthi mentioned the character of Vanthiyathevan has been fashionable since his mom’s faculty days.

“So, imagine the pressure,” he mentioned, including, “It was one of those charming characters. So naturally, the walk, the smile, and your pauses… all that is so important to get it right.” According to Karthi, “Ponniyin Selvan II” has a number of “real meat” and “drama”. The first half was launched again in September 2022 and did effectively globally.

“‘PS 1’ exceeded our expectations, so we are all the more confident about ‘PS 2’, in the sense that it has real drama. People have their own favourites in these characters, so I am sure everybody is going to root for what’s going to happen,” he mentioned.

“Thankfully, all the characters have a complete arc, which is very beautiful. This film, though is periodical, there is a lot of romance there and Mani Ratnam romance is something that nobody wants to miss,” he added.

The magnum opus has propelled his fan-following throughout the nation, Karthi mentioned.

“This film has helped me to reach a wider audience. People who have not watched my films, (have seen it) though I have been around for a long time. There are people who have never come to theatres, never watched films, now they know me. Also, there are small children who connect with me. It improves your confidence as you are receiving so much more love,” he mentioned.

“Ponniyin Selvan” is backed by Mani Ratnam’s manufacturing home Madras Talkies and Allirajah Subaskaran’s banner Lyca Productions. The movie will probably be launched in 5 languages – Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada and Hindi. 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV employees and is printed from a syndicated feed.)