Ponniyin Selvan: Part I
Directed by Mani Ratnam · 2022 ·
Is Ponniyin Selvan: Part I worth watching?
Yes. Ponniyin Selvan: Part I (2022) earns a 74% Celluloid Score. That puts it in our Recommended tier. Critics and audiences are closely aligned on this one. See the 4 inputs.
4-input transparent breakdown
Also known as பொன்னியின் செல்வன்: பாகம் 1 PS-1 Ponniyin Selvan 포니인 셀반: 파트 1 庞尼因·塞尔文：第一部分 龐尼因·塞爾文：第一部分 Kaveri'nin Oğlu: Birinci Bölüm Người Con của Sông Ponni: Phần 1
Theatrical release Where to watch
- Prime Video
Rent: Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
Buy: Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
Where to watch Ponniyin Selvan: Part I by country
| Country | Streaming on |
|---|---|
| India | Prime Video |
| Indonesia | Prime Video |
| Malaysia | Prime Video |
| Nigeria | Prime Video |
| Pakistan | Prime Video |
| Philippines | Prime Video |
| South Africa | Prime Video |
| South Korea | Prime Video |
| Thailand | Prime Video |
| Turkey | Prime Video |
| United Arab Emirates | Prime Video |
| United Kingdom | Prime Video |
| United States | Prime Video |
Subscription availability, refreshed from TMDB. Rental and purchase options may differ.
Why this score?
- Celluloid's editorial rating is positive (77/100).
- General viewers mostly liked it (80%).
- Metascore is generally favorable (69/100).
- Celluloid Score 74% combines 4 rating inputs; audience sentiment is shown separately. Consult the source notes for verification dates where recorded.
Best for
- Epic-length viewers who want a big-screen experience
Not ideal for
- Viewers who only watch top-tier, 90%+ rated films
Scores reflect data indexed at build time. Component sources are shown on this page; Celluloid Score is our composite, not a third-party trademark. Scoring policy
Streaming availability, artwork and title metadata courtesy of TMDB. This product uses the TMDB API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDB.
Is Ponniyin Selvan: Part I worth watching?
Yes — Ponniyin Selvan: Part I earns a 74% Celluloid Score. That puts it in our Recommended tier. It suits epic-length viewers who want a big-screen experience, but viewers who only watch top-tier, 90%+ rated films may want to skip it. Read our full review (4/5).
Celluloid verdict
Mani Ratnam adapts Kalki’s Chola epic with operatic craft — Tamil prestige cinema at event scale.
Kaiser Khan, Founder & Editor
Critics and audiences are closely aligned on this one.
What is Ponniyin Selvan: Part I about?
The Chola kingdom is under threat from forces both internal and external, and with crown prince Aaditha Karikalan, his younger brother Arunmozhi Varman and the emperor, Sundara Cholar separated by situations, it is up to a messenger to ensure the safety of the kingdom. Can he succeed in his mission, especially with Karikalan's former girlfriend, Nandhini, plotting to bring down the entire Chola empire?
Critic Reviews
Ponniyin Selvan: Part I (2022) Review: Chola Court Intrigue
★★★★☆
Ponniyin Selvan: Part I is Mani Ratnam's lavish Tamil adaptation of Kalki's Chola novel, a sprawling tale of court conspiracy that favours intrigue over battle.
Yes. It is a handsome, intelligent historical epic, best for patient viewers who enjoy political drama and can keep track of a large cast of characters.
Ponniyin Selvan: Part I stills
Official production imagery supplied through TMDB, kept with the movie instead of split into a thin gallery page.
Images courtesy of TMDB. TMDB does not endorse or certify Celluloid.
Reader takes
No reader takes published yet. Send yours and we may publish it after editing.
Ponniyin Selvan: Part I: frequently asked questions
Is Ponniyin Selvan: Part I worth watching?
Yes. Ponniyin Selvan: Part I (2022) has a Celluloid Score of 74%, averaged from the available Celluloid editorial, Metascore, Letterboxd and IMDb ratings. That puts it in our Recommended tier. Audience sentiment is shown separately and does not change the score.
Where can I watch Ponniyin Selvan: Part I?
In the United States, Ponniyin Selvan: Part I streams on Prime Video with a subscription, and you can rent it from Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube or buy it from Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube. Elsewhere: Prime Video in India; Prime Video in Indonesia; Prime Video in Malaysia; Prime Video in Nigeria. Availability changes; the where-to-watch table on this page is refreshed from TMDB.
How long is Ponniyin Selvan: Part I?
Ponniyin Selvan: Part I runs 2 hours 47 minutes (167 minutes).
What is Ponniyin Selvan: Part I rated?
Ponniyin Selvan: Part I is rated 15 in the UK, UA in India, 18A in Canada and U in Malaysia. These are the official classifications as recorded on TMDB; check your local classification board for content advice.
Who stars in Ponniyin Selvan: Part I?
Ponniyin Selvan: Part I is directed by Mani Ratnam and stars Vikram, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Ravi Mohan, Karthi, Trisha Krishnan.
What is the Metascore for Ponniyin Selvan: Part I?
Metacritic's Metascore for Ponniyin Selvan: Part I is 69 out of 100. It is one of the inputs to the Celluloid Score.
More Like This
Ranked by genre overlap and Celluloid Score. More movies like Ponniyin Selvan: Part I →
The Odyssey
Action, Adventure · 2h 53m
Curse of the Golden Flower
Action, Drama · 1h 54m
Ponniyin Selvan: Part II
Action, Adventure · 2h 44m
Tokyo 2012 Rurouni Kenshin Part I: Origins
Action, Adventure · 2h 14m