Only a few weeks back, the Indian government announced the 70th National Film Awards. On Tuesday, the award winners were felicitated in a ceremony that was organised in New Delhi. Director Mani Ratnam's Ponniyin Selvan-1 fetched awards in several categories, including Best Tamil Film, Best Music Direction, Best Cinematography and Best Sound Design.

70th National Film Awards ceremony: AR Rahman says Mani Ratnam brings the best

The award ceremony for this year’s National Film Awards, was held in New Delhi on Tuesday. The award winners were felicitated. AR Rahman, who won Best Music Direction for his work in Mani Ratnam’s film Ponniyin Selvan was also present during the event.

Speaking to media, he said, “This award is special because it is my seventh national award, the first one being Roja in 1992, that too with Mr Mani Ratnam. This too again is with him. So, whenever I work with him, it is special. He gets the best out of all of us. Since National Award, I am really proud of it.” He also signed with his phrase “elam pugazhum iraivanike” (all praise to God).

More on PS 1

Ponniyin Selvan- Part 1, which released in 2022, was directed by filmmaker Mani Ratnam. The film is a historic drama, which is based on Kalki's novel Ponniyin Selvan. The film stars an ensemble including actors Vikram, Karthi, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Jayam Ravi, Karthi, Jayaram, Trisha, Aishwarya Lekshmi, Sobhita Dhulipala, Prakash Raj, Prabhu, R Sarathkumar, R Parthiban, Rahman, Lal and Vikram Prabhu.

Ponniyin Selvan 1 and 2 are available for streaming on Prime Video. The film is directed by Mani Ratnam and backed by Lyca Productions and Madras Talkies. Ponniyin Selvan is set during the Chola dynasty, and is a fictional tale on characters including Adithya Karikalan, and other rulers who once ruled the present-day Tamil Nadu. Mani Ratnam had often stated that converting Kalki’s novel has been his dream project.

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