Movie Name: Ponniyin Selvan 2
Release date: 28 April 2023
Director: Mani Ratnam
Writers: Divya Prakash Dubey, Jayamohan, Kalki Krishnamoorthy
Cast: Vikram, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Jayam Ravi, Karthi, Trisha Krishnan, Prakash Raj, R. Sarathkumar, R. Parthiban, Jayaram, Aishwarya Lekshmi
Language: Tamil
Budget: ₹500 Crore ( Part I and Part II )
IMDB Rating: ⭐8.4/10 rate
The narrative of Ponniyin Selvan 2 centers around the unrest that engulfs the Chola dynasty following an assassination bid on Arunmozhi Varman, as depicted in Kalki's novel.
Review: Ponniyin Selvan 2 holds a significant advantage over its predecessor. Unlike the first installment, which had the challenging responsibility of introducing the characters and laying out the groundwork for the entire storyline, the second part moves along at a much faster pace, creating a more thrilling and exciting experience compared to its predecessor.
In the climax of the first part of Ponniyin Selvan, Arunmozhi Varman, also known as Ponniyin Selvan, portrayed by Jayam Ravi, and his trusted warrior prince, Vallavaraiyan Vandiyadevan played by Karthi, drown in the sea. However, the movie concludes with Oomai Rani, played by Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, rescuing Ponniyin Selvan. The film, based on the renowned Tamil writer Kalki's novel of the same name, does not rely on genre cliches or cliffhangers to captivate the audience. Although there are a few suspenseful moments in both parts, they are not enough to keep the viewers on the edge of their seats. This movie is not your typical blockbuster that spoon-feeds the audience. To appreciate why this literary masterpiece has been director Mani Ratnam's passion project for more than two decades, you need to accompany the filmmaker on a journey and fully immerse yourself in the story.
The news of Arunmozhi's acquisition of a water gravy rapidly spreads throughout the Chola empire, igniting a flurry of activity on multiple fronts. The Pandavas are closing in on members of the royal family, Madhurantakan (played by Rahman) is scheming with enemies of the Chola empire to stage a coup, Nandini (portrayed by Aishwarya Rai Bachchan) is successfully executing her sinister plans to uproot the Chola empire and avenge the death of Veerapandiyan, and Aditha Karikalan (played by Vikram), the crown prince of the Chola kingdom, vows to exact revenge on Nandini by beheading her for the death of his young brother. It's complete chaos, and everything appears to be falling apart in all directions.
Ratnam skillfully captures the poignant emotions in each scene by intentionally avoiding static shots. Instead, every conversation occurs with either the character or the camera in constant motion, creating a sense of unease. This technique accurately reflects the restlessness of the characters, as few of them are at peace with themselves. Aditha, for instance, is a troubled individual who lost the life he had envisioned with Nandini. His uncontrollable fury led him to dishonorably kill Veerapandiyan, leaving him consumed with regret, disappointment, shame, and self-loathing. Despite still having feelings for Aditha, Nandini feels obligated to avenge Veerapandiyan, causing her to plot Aditha's demise. This emotional conflict lies at the heart of the story, affecting all of the characters involved.
Vikram and Aishwarya deliver captivating performances that steal the spotlight effortlessly in this sequel. Their characters and the intense conflict between them serve as the central theme of the film. The movie starts by depicting the blossoming romance between young Nandini (Sara Arjun) and young Aditha Karikalan (Santhosh Sreeram), featuring stunning imagery and an outstanding score by Rahman that amplifies every frame captured by the talented cameraman Ravi Varman. The most remarkable scene in the movie is the confrontation between Vikram's Aditha and Aishwarya's Nandini, which initially has a foreboding tone but quickly shifts toward reconciliation and takes an unforeseen turn.
Ratnam's ambitious endeavor in this two-part saga is to grasp the poetic essence of Kalki's vision. It's often easier to captivate one's imagination through words than through visuals. Stanley Kubrick, during the production of his masterpiece, 2001: A Space Odyssey, famously conveyed to his co-screenwriter Arthur C. Clarke that "if it can be written or thought, it can be filmed." However, what he may have overlooked is that depicting a scene visually is not the same as capturing its emotional depth through imagery. Visuals possess the ability to convey meanings that words alone cannot fully articulate.
Conclusion
Ponniyin Selvan 2 surpasses its predecessor by offering a faster pace and a more thrilling experience. The movie does not rely on cliches or cliffhangers to captivate the audience. Instead, director Mani Ratnam takes viewers on a journey to fully immerse themselves in the story. The skilled use of camera motion to reflect the characters' restlessness adds to the emotional conflict at the heart of the story. Vikram and Aishwarya's captivating performances steal the spotlight, with their characters and their intense conflict serving as the central theme of the film. Ratnam's ambitious goal in this two-part epic is to grasp the poetic essence of Kalki's vision, showcasing that visuals can convey meanings that words alone cannot fully articulate.
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