<p>Stating that several people had tried to make eminent writer Kalki's epic novel 'Ponniyin Selvan' into a film, Mani Ratnam said he himself had tried thrice -- once in the 1980s, then in 2000 and for the third time in 2010, before finally succeeding now.</p>.<p>Speaking at the grand teaser launch event organised by the makers at the Chennai Trade Centre on Friday, Mani Ratnam said, "I first read this book when I was in college. Almost 40 years have passed. It's not left my heart until now. My first thanks go to Kalki."</p>.<p>"Makkal Thilagam MG Ramachandran should have acted in this film. After 'Nadodi Mannan', he was to act in this film. But somehow, that didn't happen. It is only today that I got to know why he was not able to act. He has left it for us to make."</p>.<p>"Several people have tried to make Kalki's epic novel 'Ponniyin Selvan' into a film. I myself have tried thrice -- once in 1980s, once in 2000 and once in 2010. Therefore, I know what a big responsibility this is."</p>.<p>"That is because it is loved by everybody who has read it. They are an authority on it. They own it, and they are very possessive about it. So, when I did this film, I said to myself. I am also like them. I own it, I am also possessive about it and I will do it the way I want to do it. This wouldn't have been possible without all my artistes and technicians."</p>
<p>Stating that several people had tried to make eminent writer Kalki's epic novel 'Ponniyin Selvan' into a film, Mani Ratnam said he himself had tried thrice -- once in the 1980s, then in 2000 and for the third time in 2010, before finally succeeding now.</p>.<p>Speaking at the grand teaser launch event organised by the makers at the Chennai Trade Centre on Friday, Mani Ratnam said, "I first read this book when I was in college. Almost 40 years have passed. It's not left my heart until now. My first thanks go to Kalki."</p>.<p>"Makkal Thilagam MG Ramachandran should have acted in this film. After 'Nadodi Mannan', he was to act in this film. But somehow, that didn't happen. It is only today that I got to know why he was not able to act. He has left it for us to make."</p>.<p>"Several people have tried to make Kalki's epic novel 'Ponniyin Selvan' into a film. I myself have tried thrice -- once in 1980s, once in 2000 and once in 2010. Therefore, I know what a big responsibility this is."</p>.<p>"That is because it is loved by everybody who has read it. They are an authority on it. They own it, and they are very possessive about it. So, when I did this film, I said to myself. I am also like them. I own it, I am also possessive about it and I will do it the way I want to do it. This wouldn't have been possible without all my artistes and technicians."</p>