Aishwarya Rai says Ponniyin Selvan: I is a Labour of Love

According to an IANS report, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan expressed her gratitude towards ace director Mani Ratnam and also praised him for his ambitious project Ponniyin Selvan 1.

"I have always been fortunate to be part of larger-than-life projects, but what makes this special is that it is Mani sir's film. This movie is a labour of love and the guru is Mani Sir. It is such an enticing, intriguing and exciting film. How fortunate we are that we are a part of this magnum opus," said Rai.

"Magic happens when we are in it together. What a great team. From the cast to the camera persons, to everyone else — all have contributed to the making of this film. Thank you so much, Mani Sir, for making me a part of this film," she added.

"I feel it is a great time as cinema is accessible through different platforms and people are embracing it with open arms in all parts of the country," she said.

Rai has previously worked with Ratnam in Iruvar (1997), Guru (2007) and Raavan (2010). Ponniyin Selvan 1 stars Chiyaan Vikram, Jayam Ravi, Karthi and Trisha among others. The period drama is based on popular Tamil writer Kalki Krishnamurthy's 1955 novel. The film is scheduled to release on September 30.