Mani Ratnam's magnum opus Ponniyin Selvan now hits THIS major milestone; Meanwhile, Ashwin Kakumanu shares BTS picture

Mani Ratnam's magnum opus Ponniyin Selvan is setting the cash registers ringing at the box office. The latest we hear is that the film has achieved yet another milestone. Yes, Mani Ratnam's ambitious project has crossed the Rs 400 mark as far as its box office collection is concerned. Trade analysts made the announcement on their social media handle. With no big releases lined up until Diwali, it looks like the dream run of the film will continue for a while. 

Actor Ashwin Kakumanu, who played Sendham Amudhan in the film, today, shared a BTS picture from the set and thanked his horse riding trainers for helping him learn the new art. Taking to his social media handle, he wrote, "Sendhan and Semban. Thanks to Alagesan master and #madrasschoolofequitation, for training us to safely interact with these beautiful horses for @MadrasTalkies & @LycaProductions #ponniyinselvan #ps1 #shootdiaries #actor #sendhanamudhan #sendhan #horseriding #horse #equestrian (sic)."

The film, starring Vikram, Trisha, Jayam Ravi, Karthi and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan in the lead, is an adaptation of popular novelist Kalki's eponymous work of the same name. The plot revolves around the early days of Ponniyin Selvan aka Arulmozhi Varman, who becomes one of the most powerful kings of the Chola dynasty Raja Raja Cholan I. The film has Vikram as Aditha Karikalan, Trisha essaying the role of Ilaiya Piratti Kundavai and Jayam Ravi as Arulmozhi Varman as the Chola siblings, Karthi as the spy and commander of the Chola Army Vallavarayan Vanthiyathevan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan as the Queen of Pazhuvoor and the younger queen of Periya Pazhuvettairayar.

Music for the film is by AR Rahman and the songs have gone on to become chartbusters. Cinematography is by Ravi Varman, art direction by Thota Tharrani and editing by Sreekar Prasad. The film has been jointly bankrolled by Madras Talkies and Lyca Productions.