Ponniyin Selvan 2 Movie review – Arunmozhi (Jayam Ravi) is still alive, Nandini (Aishwarya) is still seeking retribution, Aditha Karikalan (Vikram) is still the guardian and a broken lover, Kanduvai (Trisha), Vallavaraiyan (Karthi) are still weaving them all together in a single story. Plans are made to overthrow the Cholas, and war is waged, only to discover that the actual wars were more intimate than we had believed.
Movie Details:
Star Cast: Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Vikram, Karthi, Jayam Ravi, Trisha Krishnan, Sobhita Dhulipala, Prakash Raj, and ensemble.
Director: Mani Ratnam.
Language: Tamil (with subtitles).
Runtime: 165 minutes.
Distributed by: Lyca Productions, Red Giant Movies, Pen India Limited, Sri Venkateswara Creations
Ponniyin Selvan 2 Movie review:
We must all concede that unrequited love—especially an abundance of it—is the fuel for Mani Ratnam’s films. The director knows how to draw viewers into a disastrous love tale while simultaneously making them fall in love and then drag them out. For someone who disliked Ponniyin Selvan 1, Part 2 was a dramatic change and a lovely surprise, mainly because Ratnam is using this opportunity to depict a love saga at the centre of a tale about a ruling house.
Ponniyin Selvan 2, which Mani Ratnam, Jayamohan, and Kumaravel adapted from Kalki’s legendary novel, ultimately succeeds in finding its spirit and a hook to tie the several threads it hinted at in the first half. Even if I continue to think that the first left too much for the second, Ratnam’s mastery is what allowed him to make it all work. More than the grandeur that its designers so expertly created, PS 2 resides in its moments. Yes, the conflict is over the throne, but that never visually impacts the film. But it does work because all the important scenes are developed apart from the riches and thrones, leaving a lasting impression.
Storyline:
PS 2 serves in several aspects as a redemptive experience, at least for the main characters. Mani Ratnam takes his time getting you where he left off in the first portion of the film. He spends the first 10 minutes or so essentially telling you the love story that was teased in fragments. The Aditha and Nandini saga, which is so moving, becomes the main battle. A ferocious prince falls in love with an orphan but exiles her since she lacks a home. Therefore, ineligible to become queen. Because of this, she begins to dream of and work towards having power, only to meet her lover in her most painful life event.
When Ratnam centres the entire popular narrative around this plot, his magic truly shines. While he moves the other parallel storylines, he purposefully leaves a gap between them so the viewer’s mind will keep wanting to return to it. Breaking up the wicked schemes and allowing the love between its numerous characters to blossom are the main themes of the first half.
Beyond the point where Ratnam picks up the pace, the issue starts, and it prevents us from breathing during stressful moments. Some of the most important plot twists, one of which even involves the mysterious, elderly Aishwarya who was introduced at the end of part 1, are difficult for us to process. Her mystery is only partially revealed, making the entire episode seem like a waste of time. Similarly to this, several characters do not receive their just rewards.
Star Performance:
Unquestionably, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan is one of the most underappreciated actors. People believed that the grandeur would make up for her shortcomings because of her demand in the world of historical film, but that was never the case. She brings a lot to the table as an actor, and Ponniyin Selvan 2 sets her loose with Nandini. She holds your complete attention and forbids you from moving at all while she is around. Even when she walks directly into Ravi Varman’s lens, there is a mystic beauty to her that enhances the beauty of the frame.
Vikram is a performer who excels at what he does. He adds a lot more than what you see on the screen by including Aditha in his cast of characters who lose control after a certain point and let it show in their behaviours. There is so much to learn from the way he handles the King In Line role. But he first succeeds in making him human.
Karthi is unavoidably brought up when discussing Ponniyin Selvan because of his wide-ranging acting abilities, making him the cast member with the most prominence. He is the voice of the audience in this, thus his casting must have been the hardest bait. Karthi has a sense of comedy, is a skilled actor, and can compel you to support him.
Direction:
As Arunmozhi, Jayam Ravi is endearing and likeable. This time, Trisha brilliantly displays her vulnerability. Aishwarya Lekshmi and Sobhita Dhulipala deserve to be on the screen a lot more. Dhulipala has so much promise that even the limited screen time. She receives wouldn’t have been enough to fully develop her.
In PS 2, Mani Ratnam is in his element as the director. The director produces the visual extravaganza that is to be expected of him and worships his narrative above all else. The climactic scenes between Nandini and Aditha. The reunion of the three Chola siblings after two films were devoted to their rescue. And Vallavaraiyan’s helplessness—all of it is captured in “Theraav.”
He works with Ratnam’s longstanding partner and DOP Ravi Varman to produce beautiful and intricate images. Pictures from the top looking at two persons conversing or Aishwarya Rai Bachchan just breathing. All of them appear ethereal. A case study on how Mani Ratnam was able to capture Aishwarya in such a divine way is warranted. Every minute is worth it for the costumes and set design.
Last Word:
The only graphically jerky parts of Ponniyin Selvan 2 are the battle scenes. The bothersome feature is caused by two factors. Two things stand out about their execution, the first being how quickly they emerge in the plot. The evolution of AR Rahman and his music is exponential; his music adds so much nuance to each and every frame. With his words, Gulzar Sahab only serves to emphasise this arrangement.
So, this was all about the Ponniyin Selvan 2 Movie review. Bollywood Hush rates the film 3 stars out of 5. Click here to read the honest Suzume movie review.
