Starring: Chiyaan Vikram, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Karthi, Jayam Ravi, Trisha, Sobhita Dhulipala, Aishwarya Lekshmi, Prabhu, Jayaram, Vikram Prabhu, Sarathkumar, Prakash Raj, Rahman & others
Director: Mani Ratnam
Producers: Mani Ratnam and Subaskaran
Music Director: AR Rahman
The sequel to Ponniyin Selvan, directed by Mani Ratnam and based on Kalki Krishnamurthy’s novel of the same name, has been released today, seven months after the release of its first part. This star-studded action drama was well-received in the Tamil language, but did not receive the same level of acclaim in other languages. It remains to be seen how entertaining the sequel will be.
Story: The second part of Ponniyin Selvan picks up right where the first part left off. After surviving a battle with the Pandyas that caused them to fall into the sea, Arunmozhi Varman (Jayam Ravi) and Vallavaraiyan Vandhiyadevudu (Karthi) are rescued by a mute woman named Mandhakini (Aishwarya Rai). While Arunmozhi Varman receives treatment from the Buddhas in Lanka, Nandhini (Aishwarya Rai) and the Pandyas conspire to overthrow the Chola dynasty. Meanwhile, the Chieftains of the Chola dynasty attempt to make Madhuranthakudu (Rehman) the new Chola King by dethroning Aditya Karikaludu (Vikram). The movie reveals what happens next: who is Mandhakini and what is her connection to Nandhini’s appearance? Do Arunmozhi and Vallavaraiyan Vandhiyadevudu return to the Chola dynasty, and who ultimately emerges victorious? Find out in this exciting sequel.
Plus Points: Ponniyin Selvan’s first part received criticism in languages other than Tamil for its convoluted screenplay and numerous characters. However, the sequel addresses these concerns and presents a clear and straightforward screenplay that answers all the unresolved questions from the previous installment. The movie neatly connects all the dots towards the end.
The film features some well-executed drama and nicely presented sequences. Aishwarya Rai’s character receives the most attention, and she delivers a fantastic performance as both Nandhini and Mandhakini, both of whom play crucial roles in the movie’s plot. A pivotal scene between Aishwarya Rai and Chiyaan Vikram in the second half is particularly impressive. Vikram delivers a subtle performance as Aditya Karikaludu, as expected of the talented actor.
Jayam Ravi does an excellent job in the titular role, bringing the required royalty and shine to the character of Raja Raja Chola. Karthi also stands out with his all-round performance, evoking laughter in the audience with his antics and sharing great chemistry with Trisha. Karthi’s character is also used to provide entertainment in the film.
Other actors like Prakash Raj, Rahman, Sarath Kumar, Parthiban, Kishore, Jaya Chitra, Vikram Prabhu, Sobhita Dhulipala, and Aishwarya Lekshmi deliver decent performances in their respective roles. Each character, in one way or another, drives the story forward.
Minus Points: Similar to the first part, the sequel suffers from slow pacing, which may irritate some viewers. Even the scenes with neat drama get stretched unnecessarily, and there are too many slow-motion close-up shots in the movie. The impact could have been much better if the editing team had cut the length of some scenes.
Unfortunately, the movie lacks any high moments, which is disappointing as there were opportunities to include them. Including some adrenaline-pumping moments without deviating from the story could have spiced things up and taken the film to the next level. However, it appears that the makers intentionally stuck to a flat narrative, which may not appeal to all audiences. Additionally, the war sequences are clumsy and needed better execution.
Verdict: Overall, Ponniyin Selvan 2 is a satisfying sequel with some well-executed and intriguing sequences. The engaging storyline, decent drama, and strong performances are its strengths. While it is an improvement over its predecessor, viewers must be prepared to endure the slow-paced narrative to fully appreciate the film. If you enjoy period dramas, it is worth giving Ponniyin Selvan 2 a chance.