Ponniyin Selvan Part 2 Movie Review: Mani Ratnam delivers worthy adaptation, Karthi, Vikram and Aishwarya are a hit

By Janani Okay: Going into Ponniyin Selvan: Half 2 after being mindblown by the primary half makes you marvel if Mani Ratnam’s epic adaptation would stay as much as your expectations. The second half doesn’t start with the magnetic voice of Kamal Haasan. As an alternative, it takes us to the world of younger Nandini (Aishwarya Rai Bachchan) and Aditha Karikalan (Chiyaan Vikram). We lastly get to understand how they fall in love with one another and what transpires between them and Kundavai. It additionally exhibits how the 2 are the center and soul of the story. After we learn the way Nandini and Karikalan are separated, Kamal Haasan offers us a recap of what occurred within the first half.

In the meantime, Arunmozhi Varman AKA Ponniyin Selvan (Jayam Ravi) and Vallavarayan Vanthiyathevan (Karthi) fall into the ocean. Oomai Rani AKA Mandakini Devi (Aishwarya Rai Bachchan) saves Ponniyin Selvan, but once more. By the point he recovers from his in poor health well being, issues go haywire within the Chola Kingdom. Nandini needs to kill Karikalan in Kadambur and has despatched him a message. Nandini’s aides, who belong to the Pandyas, are plotting to kill Sundara Chozhar (Prakash Raj) and Arunmozhi Varman on the identical day when Karikalan dies. Periya Pazhuvettaraiyar (Sarathkumar) and Madhuranthagan (Rahman), together with their aides, plan to take over the crown. In the meantime, Sundara Chozhar and Kundavai study the reality about Oomai Rani. Who might be topped the prince of the Chola kingdom?

Studying the synopsis of Ponniyin Selvan: Half 2 offers you an concept of how the story is filled with a number of subplots. However, Mani Ratnam, being the maverick director that he’s, has tailored the novel with all coronary heart. Not like the primary half, the second half has a whole lot of modifications when in comparison with the movie’s guide. And these modifications add an important contact to the movie. Those that haven’t learn the books will have the ability to comprehend the story with out a lot problem.

The primary a part of Ponniyin Selvan begins with Aditha Karikalan waging a battle towards the Rashtrakooda king, Kothigan. As an alternative of killing him, Karikalan shames him. Malayaman (Lal) advises him that this act will backfire later. And it does. The second half ends with one more battle towards the Cholas and Rashtrakooda king.

Ponniyin Selvan Half 2 is stuffed with many cherishable moments that can linger in your thoughts even after the film ends. Take the romantic scene between Trisha’s Kundavai and Karthi’s Vanthiyathevan. The sharp dialogue and their actions will make you are feeling the butterflies in your abdomen. And with AR Rahman’s soothing Aga Naga, this can be a scene to recollect. Equally, take the scene the place the Pandyas enter the Nagapatnam Choodamani Viharam to kill Arunmozhi Varman. It’s not a scene that’s within the books. However, that is one scene that provides you with goosebumps. Once they strategy Arunmozhi with swords of their palms, the monks collect round him. They transfer ahead and the Pandyas drop the swords of their palms. If this scene doesn’t depict what Buddhism is, we don’t know what else will.

Here is the trailer:

Yet one more sensible scene is the confrontation between Chiyaan Vikram and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. Cinematographer Ravi Varman’s sensible work transports us to their room the place they’re speaking about their ill-fated relationship. We get excessive close-ups of the 2 with the digicam shifting round them. Like a swirl of feelings identical to what they’re going by. Their eyes convey their longing-ness and the dialogues are about their destiny.

Ponniyin Selvan 2 additionally offers a backstory of Nandini’s traumatic childhood. When she will get to know the final word reality about her lineage, she may be seen crying whereas standing neck-deep in water. How poetic and metaphoric the body is!

Ponniyin Selvan is replete with sensible performances that includes Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Chiyaan Vikram, Karthi and Jayaram. Trisha and Jayam Ravi did their components with the utmost sincerity too. Aishwarya Lekshmi, Sobhita Dhulipala, Sarathkumar, Parthiban and Ashwin Kakumanu had little or no screentime on this half. One of many negatives that may very well be talked about is the character transformation of Madhuranthagan, which is sort of unconvincing.

Mani Ratnam’s magnum opus ends with AR Rahman’s voice and what a becoming finish to among the best variations of a well-liked novel!

Ponniyin Selvan: Half 2 is immersive and visually beautiful. Aided by sensible performances and sharp dialogues, that is certainly a strong sequel. And for many who haven’t learn the guide, the movie nonetheless affords an important expertise.

3 out of 5 stars for Ponniyin Selvan: Half 2.