Ponniyin Selvan star Chiyaan Vikram reveals about living in small hotels at the advent of his career, later moved to famous hotels after watching Mammootty there

The first part of this year’s biggest multi-starrer film Ponniyin Selvan is gearing up for its theatrical release on September 30. Starring India’s biggest celebrities including Chiyaan Vikram, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Trisha Krishnan, Sobhita Dhuilpala, and Karthi, the film is directed by Mani Ratnam. The cast has been very busy promoting the film around the country. Recently, they flew to Kerala for the same. Recalling to the time when wasn't popular and was just the beginning of his career, Vikram mentioned witnessing Mammootty seated at the renowned Hotel Pankaj. He admitted to making the promise that one day he too will stay at that hotel.

I acted in the Tamil movie Meera, which was released in the early 1990s, a long time ago, perhaps when some of you weren't even born. I had just made my second movie. At the time, Malayalam filmmaker Joshiy, through his manager Shanmugham, recommended that he would like me to play a role called Bhadran in his movie Dhruvam. I came here as a result. I was residing in a tiny lodge in this area. Today, I presented it to my family. Back then, when I went on walks, no one recognized me. One day while I was strolling along, a man called my name. He acknowledged that he is familiar with me and left. He avoided speaking to me.

The Cobra star further went on saying, “Then, I used to pass Mammukka (Mammootty) sitting at the Pankaj hotel as I was strolling down MG Road, which is when I vowed that someday I'll stay at the hotel. Although I didn't stay at the Pankaj hotel, I now have the opportunity to do so. And I'm ecstatic right now. Only one person recognized me that day. But right now, nothing makes me happier than hearing you folks call my name.”

Ponniyin Selvan is adapted from the epic novel by Kalki Krishnamurthy about the Chola dynasty. Directed by Mani Ratnam, the will be available on the big screens from September 30. The filmmaker had earlier revealed that the second of the film might release 9 months after the first part’s release.