Ponnar Shankar(2011)
Ponnar Shankar is a 2011 Indian Tamil-language period action drama film directed and produced by Thiagarajan. The film stars Prashanth in a dual role as the titular twin warriors, alongside Jayaram, Pooja Chopra, Divya Parameshwaran, and Prakash Raj as the antagonist. Based on M. Karunanidhi's novel, the story follows two brothers from Kongu Nadu who fight to reclaim their family honor after being betrayed by a rival king. The film features a large ensemble cast including Prabhu, Khushbu Sundar, Sneha, and Nassar. It is notable for its grand production design, extensive battle sequences with thousands of extras, and a soundtrack composed by Ilaiyaraaja. The film received mixed reviews, with praise for its cinematography and art direction but criticism for its weak plot and historical inaccuracies. It was released on 9 April 2011, just days before the Tamil Nadu legislative assembly elections.
Quick Facts
- Streaming on
- Amazon Prime Video, YouTube
- Theatrical Release
- 9 April 2011
- Director
- Thyagarajan
- Language
- Tamil
- Runtime
- 2h 9m
- Rating
- 3.7/10
Storyline
Twin brothers Ponnar and Shankar are brave warriors trained in martial arts. They save two sisters from death and agree to marry them. But a rival king, Mandhiyappan, wants revenge on their mother and plots to destroy the brothers. The twins must fight a war to protect their family and their kingdom.
“Two brothers. One destiny.”
Film Details
Parental Guide
Where to Watch
Vibe & Tags
Cast & Crew
Reunion Meter
Frequent partnerships reunited for Ponnar Shankar
Cast reunions in this film: Nassar & Prakash Raj (41 films together), Prabhu & Nassar (21 films together), Prabhu & Kushboo (13 films together), Nassar & Jayaram (9 films together), Nassar & Kushboo (9 films together), and Prakash Raj & Jayaram (9 films together).
Trivia
- The film was originally planned as a project for director S. P. Muthuraman in the 1990s, but was shelved for many years.
- Actor Prashanth played dual roles as both warrior brothers, marking a rare twin role in his career.
- The movie's production involved building large-scale historical sets, including a full village, which reportedly increased costs significantly.
- It is based on a popular Tamil folk ballad and novel, with the lead characters considered local guardian deities in parts of Kongu Nadu.
- The film's release was delayed multiple times, with filming starting around 2004 but not concluding until 2011.
- Despite its historical epic scale, the movie had a very brief theatrical run and was a major commercial failure.
- Real-life brothers M. Karunanidhi and M. K. Alagiri were involved, with Karunanidhi writing the source novel and Alagiri co-producing the film.