Watched ponniyin selvan yesterday 9 pm show in tamil . What I feel is if you want to properly understand the tough storyline, you should watch it in your own language. The language used in the movie is proper senthamil.
Apart from this, the movie is a wonderful theatre experience without that much vfx and unnecessary graphics etc. Unlike SSR last 3 movies where each and every shot was stunning and thrilling, this movie was somewhat reality based. Despite having 3 proper heroes who were portrayed as strong warriors, the movie didn't include unwanted fight or mass scenes.
In the acting part, Karthi is the show steeler and he is having more screen space than other two heroes and he did it excellently. From the first scene itself, director portrayed Vikram as a tough warrior and he really fits into it. Jayam Ravi as the title character ponniyin selvan is a great choice by director since as per the story/history, the character is always remembered as a soft spoken, handsome but very effective king and warrior. We have to wait till second half to see the title character, but second half start directly from him.
Action scenes are done well by all three especially vikram. All 3 main heroins are good in their performances. Songs and bgm is not up to that mark but it's ok. Cinematography is excellent.
So watch the movies in theatre only and in your own language. I think the part 1 covered just 1/3 part of the original story with stress on character introduction . Main story is yet to come in PS2.