Directed by Mani Ratnam, ‘Ponniyin Selvan: Part 2’ is a grand historical Tamil film based on Kalki Krishnamurthy’s famous novel written in 1954. The film is a direct sequel to ‘Ponniyin Selvan: Part 1’ and takes forward the intriguing saga of politics, love, betrayal and valor of the Chola Empire. The story of the film revolves around Prince Arulmozhi Varman (future King Raja Raja Chola) and his family, who are battling internal and external threats to save the empire.
The film features brilliant performances from veteran actors like Vikram, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Karthi, Trisha Krishnan, Jayaram and Ravi Mohan. A. R. Rahman’s music, Ravi Varman’s cinematography and Sreekar Prasad’s editing make the film an excellent cinematic experience. The film is not only a historical saga but also a touching presentation of human emotions, love and sacrifice. ‘Ponniyin Selvan 2’ is a film that connects the audience to the glorious legacy of the Chola dynasty and proves to be a grand epic cinematically.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Title | Ponniyin Selvan: Part II |
| Director | Mani Ratnam |
| Based On | Novel “Ponniyin Selvan” by Kalki Krishnamurthy |
| Language | Tamil (Dubbed versions in Hindi, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada) |
| Release Date | April 28, 2023 |
| Genre | Historical Drama, Epic |
| Main Cast | Vikram, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Karthi, Trisha Krishnan, Jayam Ravi, Jayaram |
| Music Composer | A. R. Rahman |
| Cinematography | Ravi Varman |
| Editing | A. Sreekar Prasad |
| Production Companies | Madras Talkies, Lyca Productions |
| Runtime | Approx. 165 minutes (2 hours 45 minutes) |
| Budget | Estimated ₹250–300 crore |
| Sequel to | Ponniyin Selvan: Part I (2022) |
| Box Office | Blockbuster (Over ₹300 crore worldwide) |
| IMDb Rating | ~7.4/10 (as of last update) |
Ponniyin Selvan: II Story
‘Ponniyin Selvan: Part 2’ is a historical epic that depicts the story of power, conspiracy and valor of the Chola Empire. The film begins where Part 1 ended – Arulmozhi Varman and Vandhiyathevan are caught in a storm at sea. They are rescued by a wise old woman who later reveals a shocking secret.
This episode delves deeper into Nandini’s mysterious past and her quest for revenge. While she plots to overthrow the Chola empire with Pazhuvettaraiyar, Aditya Karikalan’s feelings for her add complexity to the film. Aditya Karikalan’s confrontation with Nandini is the most emotional and important scene of the film, where the tragedy of love, suffering and betrayal comes to the fore.
On the other hand, Arulmozhi Varman tries to unite the Chola empire with his wisdom, courage and leadership skills. Vandhiyathevan’s wit and humour also provide a balance to the story. The role of King Sundara Chola and Queen Vaanathi also influences the political equations.
The ending of the film is wonderful — the tragic turn in Nandini and Karikalan’s relationship, the reunification of the Chola dynasty, and Arulmozhi Varman’s ascension to the throne leave the audience emotionally shaken.
Ponniyin Selvan: Part 2 is a grand visual experience that brilliantly portrays history, emotions and power politics. The film is not just a historical tale but also a saga of love, sacrifice and legacy.
Movie Review
Ponniyin Selvan: Part 2 is a grand and historical epic, crafted like a dream by director Mani Ratnam. The biggest strengths of this film are its performances, technical quality and deeply rooted plot.
All the actors in the film have given excellent and impressive performances. Vikram got more screen space in this part and elevated the scenes with his emotional depth and expressions. His performance made many emotional and intense scenes extremely impressive. Karthi, who won the hearts of the audience with his comedy and thrill in the first part, played a serious and balanced role this time which suited his character.
Jayam Ravi gave a dignified and royal performance as ‘Ponniyin Selvan’. His gentle and prudent personality matches the image of King Raja Chola as we have read in history. Trisha played the role of Kundavai with ease. Her gait, confidence and presence in emotional scenes were quite captivating.
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan’s acting and beauty both were a highlight of the film. She brought a perfect balance of both glamour and sensitivity as Nandini. Other actors like Prakash Raj, Jayaram, Parthiban, Rahman, Sobhita Dhulipala, Aishwarya Lekshmi, Sarath Kumar, Prabhu, Vikram Prabhu and Lal also played their characters with sincerity.
Technically, the film is extremely rich. Mani Ratnam had planned for years to bring this historical saga to the screen and he has given his best in every department. The filming of the war scenes and dramatic events is impressive and the cinematic quality of the film is of a very high standard.
A.R. Rahman’s music is the soul of the film. His songs are traditional and situational, beautifully highlighting the culture and traditions of the Chola Empire. The background music adds depth to the scenes manifold. Ravi Varman’s cinematography is superb and the VFX are also of top quality. The production values are also quite grand.
Highlights:
Performances from all the actors
Gorgeous visuals and cinematography
Rahman’s music and background score
Interesting and emotional story
Cons:
Slow pace of some scenes
Lack of high dramatic moments
Movie Trailer
Conclusion
Ponniyin Selvan: Part 2 is a brilliant historical epic that perfectly showcases Mani Ratnam’s imagination and directorial skills. The brilliant performances from the cast, AR Rahman’s soulful music and gorgeous cinematography make it a memorable experience. Though the film’s slow pace may be a challenge for some viewers, the depth of its story and characters make it special. For history buffs and Mani Ratnam fans, this film is a must-watch, bringing alive the rich legacy of Indian history on screen.
