Ponniyin Selvan Part 2 Tamil Movie Review 2023

In Part 2 of Ponniyin Selvan, Mani Ratnam delves deep into the heart of the novel, exploring the ill-fated romance between crown prince Aaditha Karikalan (played by Vikram) and Nandhini (played by Aishwarya Rai Bachchan). The film begins with a prelude that beautifully captures the blossoming love between the prince and the orphan girl, without relying too heavily on dialogue. The director masterfully shows us the heartache that ensues when the two are separated by forces beyond their control.

Throughout the film, this doomed romance sustains the tension and drives the characters to make decisions that have far-reaching consequences. Even when Karikalan realizes that accepting an invitation to the Kadambur palace could be a fatal mistake, he is unable to turn it down. Princess Kundhavai (played by Trisha) is driven by the mystery surrounding Nandhini’s lineage, while the young prince Arulmozhi Varman (played by Jayam Ravi) must fend off the Pandiya rebels who have sworn to kill Karikalan, whose romance led to the murder of their king.

Overall, Part 2 of Ponniyin Selvan is a captivating and emotional journey that explores the complexities of love, loyalty, and power. Mani Ratnam’s direction is masterful, and the performances by the talented cast are truly exceptional. This film is a must-see for anyone who loves epic historical dramas.

The first half of the film maintains the brisk narration that we experienced in the latter half of the first installment, giving it a swashbuckling feel. We witness the daring attempts to murder Arulmozhi, who is recovering from an illness at a monastery, and Vandhiyathevan’s (Karthi) efforts to thwart them. The romantic scene between Vandhiyathevan and Kundhavai is sizzling, and the reunion of the siblings is truly heartwarming. The pre-interval action sequence is thrilling, with a rousing AR Rahman background score that is a masterclass in shooting chaos while retaining spatial clarity.

The latter half of the film is more focused on the fate of Karikalan, and Mani Ratnam delivers a much-anticipated moment between Karikalan and Nandhini with so much dread and pain that we forget about the other characters for a brief moment. Vikram and Aishwarya are outstanding in these portions, delivering performances that are deeply heartfelt. Cinematographer Ravi Varman captures their vulnerability in close-ups, adding to the emotional depth of their characters.

The emotional high of the climactic portions greatly impacts the events that follow a major character, leaving them unable to match the suspense and drama of the narrative up until that point. Despite the serious nature of the proceedings, the somber tone is unexpected in a period epic, especially in the post-Baahubali era. Unlike larger-than-life imaginary heroes, Mani Ratnam’s film stays true to the spirit of Kalki’s novels, which are fictionalized accounts of historical personalities with a focus on interpersonal drama. The grandeur of the film comes from the emotions of the characters within the palace walls, rather than from the setting itself. While Mani Ratnam attempts to give viewers an instant adrenaline rush with a war scene at the end, it lacks strong emotional grounding and stunning visual effects to truly leave us with a high.

However, the most underwhelming moment is the climax. Even in Kalki’s book, the ending is rather low-key with one too many twists. While the writers (Mani Ratnam, Jeyamohan, and Kumaravel) sensibly give us a more agreeable twist, they fail to pack a punch with the speech that Arulmozhi delivers in the end while making the supreme sacrifice that makes him the titular hero of this sprawling epic.

Movie overview