Popular Sri Lankan actor Shyam Fernando has made his Indian film debut in Mani Ratnam-directed Tamil historical biopic ‘Ponniyan Selvan’. He gives life to the character of King Mahindan I of Sri Lanka in the film.

Adapted from Kalki Krishnamurthy's celebrated Indian novel, stars Vikram, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, and Jayam Ravi, with a score by Oscar winner A.R. Rahman.

Acclaimed director Mani Ratnam brings what he’s long called his dream project to the screen, adapting Kalki Krishnamurthy’s hugely popular 1955 historical novel about the rise of the Chola dynasty in 10th-century South India. Weaving the lives of more than a dozen principal characters played by a star-studded cast including Vikram and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan this years-spanning epic charts the rise of an empire through war, peace, romance, and revenge. Score by Ratnam’s frequent collaborator, Oscar-winning composer A.R. Rahman.

Released on September 30 in India as well as Sri Lanka has touched the INR 150 crore mark already at the worldwide box office. The two-part franchise has been shot on a budget of Rs 500 crore. Ponniyin Selvan is also the first Tamil movie to release in IMAX