Ponniyin Selvan 1

Present day Thanjavur palace having Maratha influence due to maratha rulers.

Vandhiyadevan is on a mission to Kadambur to find out the plans of chieftains on the future of Chola empire. He was sent on this mission by Karikalan the eldest son of Sundara Chola the current emperor.  Sundara Chola is bedridden due to illness. Vanthiyedevan after collecting information is assigned to go to Thanjavur and inform Sundara Chola and Kundavai (the only daughter of Sundara Chola and sister of Karikalan).

During these times there appears a comet in the sky. This according to soothsayer means a death in the royal family of Cholas. 

Vanthiyedevan befriends Ahrwharkadiyan Nambi during his journey who is a Vishnu bhakt and who manages access to high offices and places due to his wit, bhakti and smartness.

When Kundavai is informed about the secret plans of chieftains she sends Vanthiyedevan to Lanka where the youngest son of Sundara Chola Arunmozhi Varman is waging war. She asks Vanthiyedevan  to bring Arunmozhi back to Thanjavur from Lanka.

Kundavai is smart and attempts to break the secret plans of chieftains by proposing marriage alliance of her brothers.

Peria pazhuvettarayar the eldest chieftain has a beautiful wife Nandini who is in reality is devoted to Pandya kingdom (Madurai). Pandyas and Cholas have bitter enmity.

Vanthiyedevan reaches Lanka helped by Poonkuzhali who is expert in boats and seas. Vanthiyedevan also earlier befriended Senthan Amuthan in Thanjavur.  Senthan Amuthan is interested in marrying Poonkuzhali.

Vanthiyedevan meets Nambi in Lanka. Together they manage to meet Arulmozhi Varman.  

Arulmozhi Varman tells the story of Oomai Rani who always saves Arulmozhi Varman from deep disasters. Arulmozhi Varman also explains why he is called Ponniyin Selvan. 

Sundara Chola realizes that conspiracy in his kingdom is strong and orders arrest warrant of Arulmozhi Varman.  This he believed would bring Arulmozhi Varman safely to Thanjavur. 

Pandyas enter Lanka too and want to kill Arulmozhi Varman.  They mistake Vanthiyedevan for Arulmozhi Varman because of great plan of Arulmozhi Varman.  

Arulmozhi realizes Pandyas have captured Vanthiyedevan and tries to rescue him. A series of fight and sea storm makes the ship drown in the sea along with Arulmozhi Varman and Vanthiyedevan.  Poonkuzhali observes this happening.

News spread in Thanjavur that Arulmozhi Varman is dead in sea battle. 

In the Lankan sea Oomai Rani tries to save her God son Arulmozhi Varman. 

What happens next? Watch Ponniyin Selvan part 2.