Mani Ratnam’s dream project Ponniyin Selvan: Part 1 is smashing all records at the box-office. The visual extravaganza has crossed Rs 400 crore gross in global collections. It is the third Tamil film to achieve this feat, after 2.0 starring Rajinikanth, and Vikram starring Kamal Haasan. Trade analysts predict that if these trends continue, Ponniyin Selvan: Part 1 will achieve a lifetime gross of over Rs 500 crore.

Starring Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Chiyaan Vikram, Karthi, Trisha Krishnan and Jayam Ravi, PS-I released in theatres worldwide on September 30 in Tamil, Hindi, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada.

Ponniyin Selvan: Part 1 is an adaptation of the five-part novel series of the same name by late author Kalki Krishnamurthy. It tells the story of the mighty Chola empire that ruled the south of Vindhyas in 907-1215 AD. The story chronicles the life of Arulmozhi Varman (Jayam Ravi) who went on to become emperor Raja Raja Chola I.

The first film in Mani Ratnam’s series shows family relations drawing the battle lines, siblings taking sides and palace intrigue in full swing with the objective of taking control of the throne.

PS-I collected Rs 24.25 crore in Tamil Nadu on its first day, making it the highest opener ever for a film in Tamil language. It grossed a whopping Rs 80 crore worldwide on its opening day. The dream run for this A.R. Rahman musical continued even in the second weekend, with a collection of Rs 38.2 crore in Tamil Nadu alone. It collected Rs 54.5 crore over the second weekend across India.

Co-produced by Madras Talkies and Lyca Productions, the makers are now busy with the post-production of the sequel to this period drama. Ponniyin Selvan: Part 1 had a cliffhanger climax, with Arulmozhi Varman and Vanthiyathevan (Karthi) lost in the ocean after a cyclone. The final scene in the movie makes a major revelation about Queen Nandini (Aishwarya Rai Bachchan), which will shift the story arc in the second film in this series.