When Mani Ratnam explained why Ponniyin Selvan wouldn’t have been possible without SS Rajamouli: " He set a new standard for the historical genre..."

He did this to show that Ponniyin Selvan, a lavish adaptation of a beloved Tamil novel, might not have been made so boldly without the path paved by Rajamouli.

Famous director Mani Ratnam recently thanked S.S. Rajamouli from the bottom of his heart, saying that the hit Baahubali series helped him make his own ambitious historical drama, Ponniyin Selvan.

At the pre-release event for Ponniyin Selvan: Part 2 back in 2023, Mani Ratnam talked about how S.S. Rajamouli's success gave filmmakers the courage to make big movies about Indian history.

Ratnam said, "In Baahubali, Rajamouli didn't just make a movie; he set a new standard for the historical genre in Indian cinema." He said that the two-part structure of Baahubali gave other creators the freedom to think outside the box and push the limits of what is normal. He did this to show that Ponniyin Selvan, a lavish adaptation of a beloved Tamil novel, might not have been made so boldly without the path paved by Rajamouli.

Ratnam also said that both Baahubali and Ponniyin Selvan are based on strong literary and mythological sources, and that both films caused a lot of excitement before they came out. Baahubali changed the way Telugu movies were made by raising the bar for scale and spectacle. Ratnam thinks that its influence went beyond the region and inspired filmmakers all over India to tell epic stories that would appeal to everyone.

Ponniyin Selvan: Part 2 will be available in many languages. Ratnam's praise for Rajamouli is like passing the baton from one great filmmaker to another.

It also shows how Indian cinema is changing, with historical and mythological epics no longer being niche but mainstream, and ambitious storytelling being rewarded with a larger audience.

Mani Ratnam's comments were more than just a tribute; they were also a clear message: great movies build on the work of those who came before them. Baahubali will always be remembered for changing what Indian filmmakers dare to dream.