Aishwarya Rai Bachchan in PS-2. (courtesy: YouTube)

Cast: Vikram, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Jayam Ravi, Karthi, Trisha, Aishwarya Lekshmi, Sobhita Dhulipala, Prakash Raj

Director: Mani Ratnam

Rating: Four stars (out of 5)

With the size and spectacle of the primary half intact in each respect, the Ponniyin Selvan follow-up is shorn of the knowledge overload that made large calls for on these segments of the viewers that weren’t acquainted with the lengthy and eventful historical past of the Chola dynasty. The two components are roughly similar in size however they differ within the matter of how the plot is underwired. Ponniyin Selvan-2 (PS-2) feels far leaner and extra briskly paced than its predecessor.

Palpably extra simple, the PS-2 narrative, a Tamil historic epic launched nationwide in a number of languages, is far simpler to know and savour. But like the primary half, it’s ceaselessly eye-popping by way of its visible grandeur. Mani Ratnam’s measured directorial type ensures that the movie is way more than simply dazzling. It is constantly entertaining and interesting.

PS-2 begins off with a lavishly filmed, splendidly mounted prologue that takes the viewers again to the time of the younger Aditha Karikalan’s first assembly with orphan lady Nandini, who strays into the dominion and catches the attention of the Chola prince. The movie then dives into the various conspiracies, internecine tussles and secret liaisons that threaten the dominion.

The script doesn’t let the highlight transfer away from the vast spectrum of the drama that’s on the coronary heart of the sweeping saga of ambition, betrayal, guilt and expiation. An enemy’s enemy is a buddy – that may be a line that’s spouted on multiple event. The Cholas don’t have any dearth of enemies mendacity in wait to forge strategic alliances and launch an assault.

Ponniyin Selvan, primarily based on an adaptation of Kalki’s magnum opus by director Mani Ratnam, B. Jeyamohan and Elango Kumaravel, takes some liberties with the much-loved literary work. It yields dividends as a result of the departures are by no means unduly self-conscious. The total impression of the assemble is accentuated by Ratnam’s agency grasp on the technical facets and the textual essence of the story.

PS-2, actually to a considerably larger extent than the primary half, is remarkably sinewy and compact entire regardless of its practically three-hour runtime. The movie is a deal with for the eyes. Cinematographer Ravi Varman composes frames that seize the expanse of the places at the same time as they drill into the granular particulars of the beautiful pictures that the digicam conjures up. The attraction is neither simply sensory or superficial. PS-2 has sufficient in its folds to the touch the thoughts and the guts.

The pomp and pageantry which can be woven into the narrative tapestry don’t take consideration away from the story – a sworn statement to Ratnam’s means to realize an alchemy of visible thrives, emotional traction and technical finesse. The multiplicity of characters can nonetheless baffle a tad, however the free-flowing drama and motion on the display is rarely lower than spellbinding.

On one stage, PS-2 continues to be a narrative of unrequited love. Karikalan’s (Vikram) uneven relationship with Nandini (Aishwarya Rai Bachchan) and the hazard that it poses to the Chola crown prince represent an essential a part of the sprawling plot.

On one other, the movie addresses the making of the mannequin ruler who was destined to usher within the golden age of the Chola dynasty. It tracks the steps taken by Aditha Karikalan’s youthful, even-tempered brother, Arunmozhi Varman (Jayam Ravi), in direction of the throne in addition to the ups and downs that confront Vallavaraiyan Vandiyadevan (Karthi), the Vanara clan warrior-prince, as he fights off a collection of bodily threats.

Arunmozhi’s voice of purpose and restraint is central to the movie as a result of it delivers one of many central themes of the story – the character of energy and ambition weighed in opposition to the duties of a ruler. The benign and courageous Prince places a King’s goal into perspective. In one scene, he’s suggested to hoodwink his individuals and slip out of a good spot. He refuses. Without belief in your topics, governance is not doable, he asserts. That truism has timeless resonance.

When PS-2 will get into its stride post-credits, Arunmozhi is believed to have perished in a shipwreck, there may be discuss of revenge within the air and a band of Pandyan warriors are in the course of covert preparations for an assault on the Cholas. The kingdom is surrounded by traitors and threats lurk at each nook for the ailing King Sundara Chola (Prakash Raj) and his youngsters.

PS-2 reveals the story of the grey-haired Mandakini (Aishwarya in a double position), who the viewers had seen briefly within the closing moments of PS-1. It delves into the explanation for the resemblance that she bears to Nandini and the character of her relationship with Veerapandiyan, whose dastardly beheading drove a wedge between the Cholas and the Pandyans.

The high quality of the performances that the director extracts from the actors is very constant, with Chiyan Vikram’s highly effective presence serving as a agency anchor for a couple of of the movie’s most essential sequences. The others within the forged, notably Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Karthi and Jayam Ravi, are additionally at all times on the ball and lose no alternative to make their presence felt.

Trisha (as Chola Princess Kundavai), Sobhita Dhulipala (as Kodumbalur Princess Vaanathi) and Aishwarya Lekshmi (as Poonghuzali alias ‘girl of the ocean’ Samuthirakumari), too, have their moments though they’re considerably crowded out of the movie.

With actually a forged of tons of to cope with, Ratnam does remarkably nicely to suit all of them in and impart to every of the characters a definite house within the bigger scheme of issues. Veteran actors like Prakash Raj, R. Sharath Kumar and R. Parthiban need to make do restricted footage however they’re in no way decreased to irrelevance.

Ponniyin Selvan-2 completes what PS-1 got down to create – a display model of a frightening textual content. The result’s a cinematic work of monumental proportions, an epic that appears primed to face the check of time.