A news Mani Ratnam film is always enthusiastically awaited, and his Ponniyin Selvan-1 (PS-1, Son of Ponni/river Cauvery) is majestic, enthralling and buzzed in my head for days. It is a period drama based on Kalki Krishnamurthy’s five-part eponymous Tamil novel of 1955, a fiction based on real, historical facts during the Cholas’ reign from 9th-13th century CE. It is tricky keeping track of the narrative, with at least a dozen key characters, and the film criss-crossing time spans and countries. Whereas Bollywood’s heroes are Raj or Bunty, here protagonists have names like Periya Pazhuvettaraiyar. I enjoyed the film tremendously, then keenly sought explanations: a mini industry has mushroomed on youtube to explain PS-1’s story (with 3.3 million hits collectively, so, like me, millions want to know), and asked Tamil friends about narrative and cultural nuances. Of course, any film should be self-explanatory. But this film was glorious enough for me to seek explanations for what I didn’t follow: I’ve made family tree charts and copious notes. The film is currently in all-India theatres.

PS-1 is essentially a story about political intrigue in the Chola era, a palace succession story with rivalry, treachery, sacrifice, wars, hot frisson and thwarted love affairs, with some marvellously staged songs and dances. What I understood broadly of the story is this: ailing Emperor Sundara Chola (Prakash Raj) is concerned about who will succeed him to the throne: he has three children Aditha Karikalan (Vikram), Kundavai (Trisha) and Arunmozhi (Jayam Ravi), who has been sent to Ceylon/Sri Lanka. While Aditha Karikalan seems heir apparent, two external siblings Periya Pazhuvettaraiyar (R Sarathkumar) and Chinna Pazhuvettaraiyar (R Parthiban) are plotting to put the royal siblings’ uncle Madhurantakan (Rahman) on the throne. Moreover, Periya Pazhuvettaraiyar’s wife Nandini (Aishwarya Rai Bachchan), who has an old personal connection to Aditha, ramps up the mystery and intrigue. Enemy Pandya rebels are also fomenting trouble. Vallavarayan Vanthiyathevan (Karthi) is Aditha Karikalan’s buddy, emissary between the three, far-flung siblings, warrior, lover, comic and sutradhar all in one; and we see the film from his viewpoint.