Ponniyin Selvan: I is a 2022 Tamil-language epic historical fiction action drama film directed by Mani Ratnam and co-written with Elango Kumaravel and B. Jeyamohan.
The film is the first of two parts based on Kalki Krishnamurthy's 1955 novel, Ponniyin Selvan, and was produced by Ratnam and Subaskaran Allirajah under the banners of Madras Talkies and Lyca Productions.
The ensemble cast includes Vikram, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Ravi Mohan, Karthi, Trisha Krishnan, Jayaram, Aishwarya Lekshmi, Sobhita Dhulipala, Prakash Raj, Prabhu, R. Sarathkumar, R. Parthiban, Rahman, Lal, and Vikram Prabhu.
The film's music was composed by A. R. Rahman, with cinematography by Ravi Varman, editing by A. Sreekar Prasad, and production design by Thota Tharani.
The plot of Ponniyin Selvan: I revolves around the early life of Chola prince Arulmozhi Varman, who later becomes the renowned emperor Rajaraja I (947–1014). The film follows Vandiyathevan, who embarks on a journey across the Chola land to deliver a message from the crown prince Aditha Karikalan. Concurrently, Kundavai strives to maintain political peace amidst the scheming of vassals and petty chieftains against the throne.