Historical launch of Ponnar Shankar!

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.Karunanidhi's classic work Ponnar Shankar is going to the silver screen in a big way.

Ponnar Sankar is a legendary story of two warrior brothers who lived centuries ago. They are worshiped as Kaval Devams in the villages even today, their princely story is being recounted through the countless folk ballads and the brothers are known for their bravery, strength of character and valour.

Thyagarajan, a very famous actor, producer and director has now taken up the Himalayan task of bringing to life this mammoth Epic.

Thyagarajan had left his lucrative business in garment exports to work in movies. Its only when Prashanth his son, made his debut in the Tamil industry that Thyagarajan decided to don character roles and produce and direct movies for his son.

His last directorial venture Shock was an experimental hit horror movie and became a trend setter for its amazing visual techniques used and was well appreciated by the critics and masses alike. He is right now directing and producing his 1983 mega hit Malayur Mambattiyan with his son Prashanth in the lead, it must be said that it"s the first time ever that a father is directing his son in the same role that he had done 25 years ago. The movie is slated to release shortly.

After Shankar"s Jeans, Prasanth is doing a dual role for the first time as Ponnar and Sankar in Ponnar Sankar, a historical mammoth production.

The pre -production work for this movie has been going on for the last one year, with the story, costume designs and colossal set designs.

The opening of this film is historical and is taking place on the 12th July 2009, at Valluvar kottam for which the Chief minister will inaugurate and switch on the camera to start the shooting.

For the very first time a massive ancient township set with its own temple, lake and palaces have been created inside Valluvar Kottam (Chennai) for this movie. The massive sets have generated jobs for thousands of artisans and workmen to showcase their skills.

The first leg of shooting which is being planned has a huge star cast which comprises of actor and central minister Napoleon, Satyaraj, Raj Kiran, Vijayakumar, Vadivelu, Riyaz khan, Ponvannan, Khushboo, Seetha, Manorama, Sriranjani, Pragathi, Kalai Rani, etc. About 5000 junior artists and 1000 artists from the Chennai sangamam, where real artistes with knowledge of south Indian traditional arts are being employed in this film shooting. Around 150 horses", elephants & peacocks, have also been brought to give an authentic feel of an ancient south India.

Nikil Murugan is the PRO of the film.