Chekka Chivantha Vaanam - Ponniyin Selvan !!!

*CCV – Chekka Chivantha Vaanam

*PS – Ponniyin Selvan

Click here to read the previous blog on CCV

Chekka Chivantha Vaanam - As I said in my previous blog, it's a “Rasool report”. I read through few blogs, listened few videos. There are too many things to notice in this testosterone high movie (As said by Siva Ananth, co-writer of the movie). Hope almost all wonders of the magician Mani were thoroughly analyzed already.

Few said that it is inspired from the Korean movie “New world”. It is totally unfair to comment on this without watching the Korean movie. Hence no comments. But, I felt a strong resemblance of the epic “Ponniyin Selvan”, throughout the movie. That may be wrong, yet, this is to register why I felt the resemblance.

CCV plot is not that of PS. I did not feel it is an exact copy of the physical characters or scenes in PS, but the soul, emotional, mental characteristics of the PS characters are crushed, taken out, transformed to the contemporary style and rendered out in a grand manner, portraying the male dominance, the animal inside each and every one.

This is the life of the ageing don – Senapathi, his wife Lakshmi.

Needless to tell, it reminded of King Sundhara Cholar. As a king there, as a don here!!! Powerful. A King’s life is always transparent to the people - Senapathi’s house is covered with glasses such that all floors can be seen from outside.

Senapathi’s 3 sons – Varadarajan, Thiyagarajan, Ethirajan.

In PS, we have 3 successors who are eligible for the throne – Aadhitha Karikalan, Arulmozhivarmar, Madhuranthakan.

Mani usually shows the opposite versions or the contemporary versions of the epic characters, as in Raavanan. Same way I felt here too. In PS, all are good and charming in their own way, but here it is the beauty of the evil inside every one.

PS’ Characteristics in CCV’s Characters:

Varadan, Chithra, Parvathi

Aadhitha Karikalan, Sundhara Cholar’s eldest son, has conquered Pandiyans in his younger age. Aadhitha Karikalan found the absconded Pandiyan king, slaughtered him and hung his head in front of Tanjore palace. He was the most commanding and he is crowned as the prince of the Chola Kingdom.

Varadan is the first son of Senapathi. He is into his father’s way from the beginning, stays closer to his father. He is powerful as Senapathi in their circle.

Aadhitha Karikalan is too powerful and audacious but he is cranky. He is always in a dilemma, in a guilty feeling. He has both good and evil running in his mind, but ultimately he is acquitted in understanding the shrewd people around him.

Varadan’s intro – It is more like he is speaking to his conscience. And remember the conversation between Thyagu and Ethi at Dubai? That describes the rest. Ethi – “Pathiya, intha puthisaalithanam than Varadan ta kidaiyathu. Ithuve avana iruntha katti pidichu santhoshapatrupan”.

Aadhitha Karikalan feels his power only when he is in Kanchi. Although he is the prince, he does not want to be in the capital city, as there are so many sharing the power in an indirect way.

Though Varadan is the important person, Senapathi holds the power. In all the scenes, it is revealed that Varadan craves for the power more than Thyagu and Ethi. He feels his power only in Aditi Rao’s home. Varadan - “Anga Periyavar thaan ellam. Anga irukura 35 allungalla nanum oruthan. Aana inga naan than ore oru Raja”.

There is no scene where Aadhitha Karikalan and Kundhavai are conversing (except a flashback story telling). But, throughout the book, we feel the emotional relationship between them. He respects her, he seeks help from her for all the disturbances he has. Her intelligent sister is his courage. Kundhavai, understanding the upcoming disasters, sends Vanthiyathevan to be with Karikalan, to go with him wherever he goes. Karikalan makes himself alone when he goes to Nandhini, and, at last he loses his courage to face Nandhini.

Varadan’s courage is Chithra. She is honest, forthright, tough, intelligent, bold. She tries hard to save Varadan. She asks Rasool to stay with Varadan. At the same time, she recognizes that she can save him to a little extent only. She comprehends his nature yet follows him everywhere. When Varadan loses Chithra, that is the end of him that he predicted very well before.

Thyagu, Renu

Arulmozhivarmar (Ponniyin Selvan), the most handsome, the second son of Sundhara Cholar has never dreamt of Chola throne, as there is already a cold war between Aadhitha Karikalan and Madhuranthakan. But he has dreamt big – not for a small region like Chola kingdom, but for a vast region.

Whenever Thyagu is shown to be in Dubai, he is in a ship, that reminds of Sri Lanka, an Island. Renu is a Srilankan. More than Varadan and Ethi, Thyagu is sculpted stylish in all the frames. Thyagu – “Santhoshama irukken. Renu, pullainga, en business. Happy”.

Arulmozhivarmar is not interested in destruction, but concentrates in construction of the country where he is. There is a detailed comparison in PS part 2, of how the war field looks like after Aadhitha Karikalan conquers vs Arulmozhivarmar conquers. When Aadhitha Karikalan conquered Pandiyans and interested in extending Chola Kingdom to the North India, whereas Kodumbalur Paranthaka Vellar has died in Sri Lankan war, the intelligent Arulmozhi starts to Sri Lanka.

Paid attention to Thyagu’s conversation with the Sheiks at Dubai (Thyagu introduction)? Thyagu – “It is not one pipeline. It is a network from Kazakhstan all the way to China. And we have access to 7 blocks”. He is concerned about development (Listen to Thyagu’s words to the goons). “Na dubaikaran. Dubai potta paalavanama irunthathu. Onnum valarathu. Thanni illa. Oil illa. Ethuvum illa. Aana ipo? Intha 25 varushathula enga poirukku parunga.”

Arulmozhi conquers Sri Lanka. He developed the Island. Usually, the vanquishers destroy the seized land and the soldiers loot everything and utilize the wealth. When they happened to stay for a longer period as they were searching the escaped King, the food materials for the soldiers were sent from Chola kingdom. Aadhitha Karikalan had a vengeance on this as those were the saved materials for his future invasion on North India.

For Thyagu’s business, funding is from Senapathi account and Varadan stops it. Throughout the movie, he is frustrated as the business runs from Senapathi’s fund.

Arulmozhi is a blend of courage, majesty, intelligence, kindness and every good quality. He showers his love on family members, not like Aadhitha Karikalan, who is not good in expressing his feelings.

Thyagu is always shown near to Senapathi or Lakshmi. In the hospital, he sits near Senapathi. He helps Lakshmi to remove her head bandage. He spends time with his family. He shows the physical closeness towards his family members.

Pazhuvettaraiyar sends men to Srilanka. Poonguzhali, the boat girl overhears that the men are there to arrest Arulmozhi and take him to Tanjore. She takes this strange message to him. Poonguzhali – courageous, naughty, interesting, has a ‘don’t care’ attitude, nowhere related to the king clan, has an interest on Arulmozhi. When the tides change, she understands the glitches of being in a king’s family and detaches her interest.

Renu (in a small boat) visits Thyagu (in ship) to inform him the violence on Senapathi and Lakshmi (Just notice her attitude!!!). And that lift scene. Renu seems upset hearing the family conversation. When she handles the thugs, “Enakku epdiyada theriyum. Neenga enga poring nu pondatimarunga ta sollita poreeyal?”.

Ethi

After Rajathithyar, his younger brother Kandarathithyar got the throne, but he was fascinated towards spirituality and handed over the throne to the other younger brother Arinjayar. Arinjayar dies within a year and his son Sundhara cholar becomes the King. In a later point of time, Kandarathithyar got married to a like-minded princess(Sembiyanmaadhevi), they gave birth to Madhuranthakan around the same time Aadhitha Karikalan was born. Madhuranthakan was raised up as a spiritual person but he developed liking the throne due to the stimulus of few lords in Chola Kingdom.

Ethi is Senapathi’s third son, but he is shown as an unwanted person by the family. On hearing the attack on Senapathi, he reacts “Na varanuma??!!”. He stays far from his father in hospital, triggers the discussion on who is the next successor.

Madhuranthakan hides himself in a palanquin and intrigues with Pazhuvettaraiyar and other kings. He, raised up as a “Sivathondan”, falls as prey to hatch plots against Aadhitha Karikalan. He is close to his mom but everything changes as he involves in conspiracy.

Ethi is involved in unlawful activities. He is doubted for the conspiracy. Varadan and Thyagu are in the opinion that his deeds will pull everyone to danger.

History tells that, Uthama Cholan (Mathuranthakan) becomes the King after Sundara Cholar. In PS, we have different plots in understanding who is the actual Uthama Cholar. At the end, Mathuranthakan, when he comes to know that he is not the actual son of Sembiyanmaadhevi, he pleads to her. He begs her to be with him so that none will know the truth and abandon him. (Yeah, I know, you understand a little. All I can tell is to read the book !! :-) )

Ethi joins hand with Thyagu and plans a plot against Varadan. It is to support Thyagu. At last he begs his mom to be with him, when his mom lost faith on him.

The Chola kingdom is so vast and there are so many clans and lords and their generations supporting the King. The major forces among them are

Pazhuvur clan, Malayaman clan, Kodumbaalur clan.

Pazhuvur lords have been supporting Cholas for more than 100 years. Thirukovilur Malayaman’s daughter is now, Sundara Cholar’s wife. Kodumbalur Periya velan has fought for Cholas and left his body during early Srilankan war. His daughter Vaanathi, resides with Kundhavai and she is to marry Arulmozhi. His brother Kodambalur Poothivikramakesari proceeds to Srilanka along with Arulmozhi and does wonders.  In the present, Lords of Pazhuvur (Periya Pazhuvettarayar – Treasurer, Chinna Pazhuvettarayar – The police (Kottai Kaaval)) and others support Mathuranthakan. Thirukovilur Malayaman supports his elder grandson Aadhitha Karikalan. Kodambalur Poothivikramakesari stands with Arulmozhi.

In part 5, all 3 supporters march towards the capital and are ready to start a war. Who wins is the rest.

In CCV, three clans are stuffed as 3 sons themselves.

Rasool

Ok. PS lovers – waiting for the most interesting characters? Here they are.

Vanthiyathevan

This young man, who leads the entire story, the most favorite hero of mine belongs to Vaanavaraiyar clan. They have lost to Cholas several decades ago. He remains the best friend of Aadhitha Karikalan. He takes a message from Aadhitha Karikalan to Sundara cholar and Kundhavai. He overhears the secret meeting of conspiracy. Kundhavai writes to her beloved brother in Srilanka, asks Vanthiyathevan to carry the message and bring her brother back. Then follows his adventures. He remains loyal to the Chola kingdom, befriends Arulmozhi, Mathuranthakan, wins the heart of Kundhavai, ready to spare his life to save Aadhitha Karikalan. He gets too many chances to be against Chola, but he never does.

Nandhini

Nandhini is a fictional character. Aadhitha Karikalan, in his younger days, falls in love with her. This love is forbidden by Sembiyanmaadhevi, Karikalan accepts this but could not forget Nandhini. The elder lord of Pazhuvur marries young Nandhini after he was past the age of sixty-five. Her seems to have some mysterious past and she has a deal in plotting against Chola Kingdom. Later the mystery is revealed (The question “Who is Nandhini?” remains hypothetical. This seems to be the most correct among all the assumptions) –  Her father is the Pandiyan king, and her mother is a dumb lady who gives birth to twin babies (One among them is Nandhini) at Sembiyanmaadhevi’s palace. She leaves the children and jumps from top of the light house. Her sister takes care of the kids. Nandhini plans for a revenge and remains the powerful villain in the story.

What if Vanthiyathevan used his chances to plot against Chola King? Then the transformation would result in a Nandhini.

Hope, now everything is clear. In CCV, the 2 characters are blended as Rasool. The meaning for “Rasool” is “Messenger”. He is the best friend of Varadan, helps Varadan. He has a special respect and interest towards Chithra. Chithra – “En Kalyanam Kattala?”, Rasool – “Ungalukku thangachi illa, nan kalyanam kattala…”. Rasool’s father Ibrahim is a gangster and is shot in encounter, in front of him and his mom. His mom gives him to her sister and commits suicide. Here, Senapathi is not related to the encounter, but Rasool starts hating gangsters after his father is encountered.

And who is Aniruththa Brahmaraayar in CCV?!?! Who else other than Mani !!!!