Ponniyin Selvan audio launch is important to me because the film defines Tamil heritage: AR Rahman

The much-awaited audio and trailer launch of Mani Ratnam's magnum opus Ponniyin Selvan: I is underway in Chennai. The film, which is an adaptation of Kalki Krishnamurthy's novel Ponniyin Selvan, throws light on the Chola empire, which forms a crucial part of the Tamil heritage. The film has music by Academy Award-winning composer AR Rahman. Speaking on the sidelines of the event, the composer said that the audio launch of the film is special to him. "This audio launch is very important in my life because Ponniyin Selvan defines the Tamil heritage. Many people have tried to make this film, but Mani sir has successfully done it. He has been making films for over three decades now and he always directs films like a newbie. Ponniyin Selvan can be called his pet project."

Talking about the kind of research that underwent into the music of the film, AR Rahman said, " We started working on the music around ten years ago. The work got stopped in between. When we were doing the research, we were very particular that the film appeals to the current generation and reaches a larger audience. At the same time, we also wanted to ensure that we defined Tamil culture. We had all these sensibilities in mind and zeroed in on the music. It was a creative decision. Whenever you read the novel, you get a certain sensibility. Mani sir has tried to do his best to reach this generation."

The star-studded audio launch has been attended by Mani Ratnam, Suhasini Mani Ratnam, Vikram, Karthi, Trisha, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Jayam Ravi, Aditi Rao Hydari, Nassar, Dhruv Vikram, Jayaram, Kalidas Jayaram. Superstar Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan are also expected to be part of the event. Ponniyin Selvan is being released in two parts and the first part is set to hit screens on September 30 worldwide in five languages, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam and Hindi.