Mani Ratnam's Ponniyin Selvan Characterization

What started out a serial novel in a renowned Indian magazine during the 1950s quickly became what many consider to be one of the greatest works of Tamil literature even today. It is said readers back in the day would eagerly wait for each weekly installment, cut them out from the magazine and put them in plastic files to be read over and over again. The serial novel's popularity elevated the magazine's circulation to over 70 000 copies. The story revolves around the death of the king of the great Chola empire and the struggle for the throne. There has been several attempts to adapt the novel into film. Now, the time has come. Here is a run down of the many characters and the actors who will be playing them.

Karthi Sivakumar as Vandiyathevan

Many readers of the novel consider him to be the main protagonist of the story even though he is not the titular character. He is the best friend of crown prince Aditya Karikalan and is appointed as his bodyguard while they are stationed in Kanchi. He is known for his wit and bravery that eventually earns him the position as commander of the Chola empire's southern troops. Karikalan sends him to Thanjavur, the capital of the Chola empire, to meet his father, King Sundara Chola. During his journey, Vandiyadevan meets and falls in love with Princess Kundavai. 

Vikram as Aditya Karikalan

The eldest son of King Sundara Chola, crown prince of the mighty Chola kingdom, and commander of his father's northern troops. He is a decorated warrior prince; having fought his first battle at the young age of twelve. He sends his best friend, Vandiyathevan to invite his father, the king, to Kanchi to visit the golden palace he had built. He is infamous for his great temper, which led him to assassinate a powerful rival king that earns him many enemies in and out of the kingdom.

Trisha as Kundhavai 

The Chola king's middle child and only daughter. Unlike other princesses, she vows to remain in her land of birth to unite the entire region as part of her kingdom. She is well-known for her kindness, like when she takes care of the orphaned princess, Vanathi. She is respected and loved by her people. She trains her younger brother, Arulmozhi Varman to become a great leader to achieve her ambitions. She also sends her guard, Vandiyathevan to Sri Lanka to escort Arulmozhi home to guard their elder brother, Karikalan from an eminent threat. 

Jayam Ravi as Arulmozhi Varman

The youngest child of King Sundara Chola. He is raised in Pazhayarai by Periya Piratti and Ilaya Piratti. Legend has it that he was saved by the mystical Mother Kaveri herself from drowning in her holy river when he was five. Since then, he is referred to as "Ponniyin Selvan" or "Son of Kaveri". He is educated by his elder sister, Kundavai, who then sends him to Sri Lanka when he is nineteen to widen their empire. Despite being a conqueror, he is loved by most of the people in Sri Lanka for his religious tolerance, kindness and good looks.

Aishwarya Rai as Nandini 

The ward of a priestly family in Madurai who grew up alongside the royal children. However, her true origins remain a mystery throughout the novel. She and Karikalan were childhood lovers but the royal family does not approve of their relationship. She conspires with the Chola kingdom's rivals to destroy the Chola dynasty. By marrying the powerful Periya Pazhuvettaraiyar, she manipulates him and many other men to overthrow the royal family. Vandiyathevan is the only man who is unfazed by her beauty. 

Sarathkumar as Periya Pazhuvettarayar

The chancellor and treasurer of the Chola empire. He is so highly respected throughout the kingdom that he is considered the second most powerful man in the empire next to the king himself. The 64 scars from his many battles are a testament of his love for his king and country. He marries a much younger Nandini after he is seduced by her great beauty. His young wife easily uses him as her puppet to make his relative, Uttama Chola the next king. The once loyal nobleman eventually becomes one of the leader of the conspirators who goes against the royal family. 

Parthiban as Chinna Pazhuvettarayar

The chief of the Thanjavur fort. He is the younger brother of Periya Pazhuvettaraiyar who he loves and respects for protecting their family. He is the father-in-law of Uttama Chola, one of the few people who is likely to ascend the throne. Despite Nandini's attempt to help his own son-in-law ascend the throne, he is weary of his brother's relationship with her. 

Kishore as Ravidasan 

Bodyguard of the late Veera Pandiyan, a rival king of the Chola kingdom. He plays a big role in the conspiracy to assassinate all the members of the Chola royal family as revenge for the death of his king. He was once a minister in the Chola court.

Aishwarya Lekshmi as Poonguzhali

She is the fearless daughter of a boatman from Kodikkarai who rows with Vandiyadevan to Sri Lanka to meet Arulmozhi. On their way back to the mainland, she rescues them from drowning in the Indian Ocean after their ship meets with a storm. Despite initially disliking men, she falls in love with Arulmozhi but is married off to someone else.

Riyaz Khan as Soman Sambavan

A former bodyguard of the late King Veera Pandiyan who conspires to wipe out the Chola dynasty. He becomes the guard at Kadambur palace.

Jayaram as Azhwarkadiyan Nambi

He is a spy who works for the prime minister. Apart from being a foster brother of Nandhini's, he is also a close friend of Vandiyathevan.

Prakash Raj as King Sundara Chola

He is the renowned king of the Chola empire. Aditya Karikalan, Kundhavai and Arulmozhi Varman are his three children. His death sparks the succession crisis that leads to the major conflict of the story.