Mani Ratnam's directorial Ponnyin Selvan 1 set to release on Sept 30

'Ponniyin Selvan 1', or PS1, the epic movie made on a whopping Rs 500-crore budget by ace director Mani Ratnam, is to hit the screens on September 30. The movie, based on the 1955 novel Ponniyin Selvan, by Kalki Krishnamoorthy is, according to Mani Ratnam, his masterpiece and he has been able to helm it only after several failed



attempts.

Ever since the novel became a hit in Tamil Nadu, many movie makers attempted to work on it, but they could not turn their pursuit into a film. The novel is based on the 10th-century Chola period and the fights within the ruling clan. The role played by spies of the empire, its military leaders and the politics behind it are all shown in the movie.