- By Sukanya Saha
- Fri, 28 Apr 2023 01:37 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Ponniyin Selvan 2 narrates the story of chaos that unfolded in the Chola dynasty following an endeavour to murder Arunmozhi Varman, as depicted in Kalki's novel. The sequel to Ponniyin Selvan picks up where the first part left off, with Nandini (played by Aishwarya Rai) nearing the completion of her scheme to eliminate the heirs and bring about the downfall of the Chola dynasty. The central storyline of the period drama revolves around whether Nandini's plan succeeded and the motivations behind her desire to kill the Chola heirs.
Plot
In the climax of Ponniyin Selvan 1, Jayam Ravi's character Arunmozhi Varman, also known as Ponniyin Selvan, and his loyal warrior prince Vallavaraiyan Vandiyadevan, played by Karthi, both sink under the sea.
The news of Arunmozhi's drowning spreads quickly throughout the Chola empire, sparking a series of actions on various fronts. The Pandavas are closing in on the royal family, Madhurantakan is plotting a coup with the help of the Chola empire's enemies, Nandini is making her sinister moves to destroy the Chola empire and take revenge for Veerapandiyan's death, and Aditha Karikalan is determined to avenge his young brother's death by beheading Nandini. The situation is chaotic, and everything appears to be collapsing from all sides.
The narrative of the film is heavily driven by drama, featuring several confrontations and mildly intense moments. However, the dramatic peaks are relatively subdued, with the closest feeling of a high coming just before the interval, where a small twist is shown. In the film’s second half, the drama picks up as critical moments in the story are reached, with several threads coming to a close and emotions running high. One of the most prominent threads is the relationship between Vikram and Aishwarya Rai's characters, which is effectively portrayed by both actors, adding to the overall impact of the narrative.
Cast
The key actors from the first installment of Ponniyin Selvan reprised their roles in the sequel, including Vikram, Karthi, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Jayam Ravi, and Trisha, and they continue to play crucial characters in the story. However, their respective screen time may vary depending on the demands of the narrative.
Vikram delivers a standout performance, effectively conveying the heartache and despair of a crown prince who feels betrayed in love. He portrayed his part effortlessly and naturally.
In the sequel, Aishwarya Rai is given a more prominent role than any of the other actors. She looks stunning on screen and effectively plays the moral struggles faced by her character. Additionally, Rai takes on a dual role, playing an older woman, and performs well in both parts.
The highly anticipated scenes featuring Vikram and Aishwarya Rai in a confrontation has been well-executed, effectively conveying the tension and emotional turmoil between the characters.
Karthi's character in the sequel is less light-hearted than it was in the previous film, with his role containing more dramatic elements. Jayam Ravi delivers some standout emotional moments, effectively highlighting the complexities of his character. Finally, while Trisha's performance is good, her character doesn't have the same level of prominence as in the first installment.
What works for the film?
Amarar Kalki's epic writing creates a complex tapestry of conspiracies, political unrest, and impending warfare, punctuated by unexpected surprises and shocking revelations at every turn. Mani Ratnam took on the daunting task of faithfully adapting this monumental Tamil novel, and he expertly balances the pace of the narrative, gradually unravelling new layers of complexity and introducing unexpected plot twists. The director handles the material with confidence and skill, delivering a moderately engaging film adaptation.
Ravi Varman's cinematography is excellent. The lighting and visuals improve the realistic tone of the story. Despite the enormous amount of content condensed from the novels, the editing is satisfactory. Although there isn't a lot of action, except for the final war scene, the choreography of which was top-notch. As mentioned earlier, the writing is strong and guides the audience through the plot smoothly.
What doesn't work?
Some of the issues from the first film, such as the slow pace, resurface in the sequel. However, the excellent performances by the diverse cast and the well-staged drama manage to hold the viewer's attention. The fact that the audience is already familiar with many of the characters also helps. Nevertheless, despite having some familiarity with the characters and the story, viewers may still find themselves confused at times due to the density of the narrative. This remains the biggest problem with the two-part film adaptation.
The buildup of drama ultimately leads to a climactic battle for the throne. The large-scale war scene is executed skillfully but lacks a strong sense of intensity. Additionally, some popular character threads remain unresolved, leading to a sense of dissatisfaction for some viewers by the end of the film.
In PS2, the main focus is on the emotional journey of each character as they face various challenges and overcome difficult situations. As a result, the film contains fewer comedic elements.
Final verdict
Overall, Ponniyin Selvan 2 manages to captivate its audience despite the various issues present, particularly for those who are already invested in the characters and setting. The film's impressive scope, ambition, and talented cast (especially Vikram and Aishwarya) make it worth watching at least once.