Ponni (TV series)

Ponni is an 2023 Indian-Tamil language television series starring Sabari Nathan, Vaishnavi Sundar, Supergood Kannan and Reehana B and director by Manoj Kumar. The story is a young woman Ponni, who is compelled to wed Shakthi. It describes how Sakthivel will accept her as a wife despite the fact that she has also faced challenges and sufferings.

It airs on Star Vijay from 27 March 2023 and is also available on the digital platform Disney+ Hotstar.

Synopsis
The narrative intricately weaves around Ponni and her father, unraveling the heartfelt story of a young girl who, out of profound love and concern for her ailing father, meticulously orchestrates her own marriage. Ponni's life, marked by the early loss of her mother, positions her as the central figure in the initial chapter, where she resides with her father in the face of impending societal expectations.

Concurrently, the tale introduces Sakthi and his family, distinguished in their town for their devotion to Murugan and their enchanting chants on significant occasions. Ponni and Sakthi, childhood friends, grapple with societal pressures that attempt to dictate Ponni's marital fate. Fiercely determined, Ponni assumes the guise of a maid to infiltrate Sakthi's household, where a tapestry of complex relationships and romantic entanglements begins to unfold.

Sakthi, entangled in love affairs with Preethi and Vennila, reaches a pivotal decision to embark on matrimony. However, complications ensue, leading to Preethi's departure from the mahal due to her father's adherence to the dowry system. Vennila, too, departs upon Sakthi's revelation that he is not in love with her. Ponni, coerced into an unconventional marriage, confronts the challenges with resilience, solidifying her bond with Sakthi against the odds.

Chandrasekar, Sakthi's discerning father, becomes aware of Ponni's true predicament, embracing her as a daughter. The family grapples with societal judgments, as Ponni's unique background elicits misconceptions about her literacy and demeanor.

Enter Shivani, a grateful soul indebted to Ponni for her unwavering support in achieving success. Shivani, with unwavering determination, becomes an instrumental force in fostering the chemistry between Ponni and Sakthi. Despite Sakthi's apparent lack of regard, Shivani strategically navigates familial dynamics, creating a sense of belonging for Ponni within the intricate tapestry of relationships.

The narrative reaches a poignant crescendo during the wedding chain celebration, where Sakthi's preoccupied thoughts manifest in the rejection of Shivani. Simultaneously, Jeyalakshmi, tasked with conducting rituals alone due to Ponni's father's illness, grapples with the challenges that ensue. The narrative's core lies in the triumphant journey of Ponni's marriage, overcoming societal trials and earning the hard-fought approval of Jeyalakshmi, marking the series with a compelling and emotionally charged essence.

Main

 * Vaishnavi Sundar as Ponni (2023-), Muthaiah's daughter, Sakthi's childhood friend, a poor and innocent girl who secretly had a crush on Sakthi. She later marries Sakthi and becomes his wife by force of circumstances
 * Sabari Nathan as Sakthivel "Sakthi" (2023-), Chandrasekar and Jaya's youngest son, Ponni's husband and childhood friend, Preethi's lover. Initially hates Ponni for using the situation to marry him, but later turns into a caring husband and develops a soft corner for Ponni

Recurring

 * Shamitha Shreekumar (2023) → Sindhuja Viji (2023-June 2024) → Reehana B (July 2024-) as Jayalakshmi "Jaya", Chandrasekar's wife and mother of Bhavani, Shanmugam and Sakthi, a good-hearted singer but hates Ponni for her status and believes that Ponni intentionally married Sakthi
 * Supergood Kannan as Chandrasekar (2023-), Jaya's husband, Bhavani, Shanmugam and Sakthi's father, Muthaiah's close friend, and singer who insists Sakthi to marry Ponni, a caring and supportive father-in-law of Ponni
 * Varun Udhai as Sundaram (2023-), Bhavani's husband, Shivani's father, and Sakthi's brother-in-law, who takes up various means to chase Ponni out of the house and help Vennila marry Sakthi
 * Karthik Sasidharan as Shanmugam (2023-), Sakthi's elder brother, who understands and is supportive of Ponni
 * Sridevi Ashok as Usha (2023-), Shanmugam's wife, a greedy and funny woman, and aspiring social media influencer, who supports Vennila in marrying Sakthi
 * Yuvanraj Nethrun as Moorthy (2023-), a drunkard, Vennila's father, Jaya's brother and Sakthi's uncle, who is desperate to marry his daughter Vennila to Sakthi
 * Bhargavi Eshwaramoorthy (2023-)
 * Shiyara Sharmi → Jayashri Jue as Vennila (2023-), Moorthy's daughter, who one-sidedly loves Sakthi
 * Tharshika as Preethi (2023-), Vaithiyalingam's daughter, Sakthi's ex-lover, an employee in Sakthi's boutique recruited after the recommendation of Ponni, later plots against Ponni to marry her ex-lover Sakthi
 * Azhagu as Muthaiah (2023-), Ponni's father, Chandrasekar's close friend
 * Jayashree Binuraj as Vijaya (2023-), Preethi's mother and Vaithiyalingam's wife
 * Sethu Subbu as Vaithiyalingam (2023-), Preethi's father and Vijaya's husband, who calls off his daughter Vennila and Sakthi's marriage citing dowry as the reason
 * Baby Vedhasya as Shivani (2023-), Sundaram and Bhavani's daughter,
 * Janane Prabhu as Bhavani (2023-), Sakthi's elder sister, Sundaram's wife, innocent and unaware of her husband Sundaram's malicious intentions of looting their wealth
 * Sasindhar Pushpalingam as Victor (2023-), Sakthi's business rival
 * VJ Mohammed Azharuddin as Karthik (2024-), Chandrasekar's relative and an NRI from Australia

Special appearances

 * Vetri Vasanth as Muthu, Ponni’s relative (2024)
 * Gomathi Priya as Meena, Muthu's wife (2024)
 * Meera Krishna as Ponni's mother (photographic appearance) (2024)
 * Praveen Devasagayam
 * Babitha as Usha's mother
 * Mohan Vaidya as Thuyanathan (2024)

Casting
Vaishu Sundar was cast as Ponni by making this her first lead role. Initially, Sameer Ahamathu was chosen to play male leads but he declined, as he got an offer to act in Modhalum Kaadhalum. Later, Sabari Nathan plays the male lead alongside her. Shamitha Shreekumar was selected to portray the role of Jayalakshmi (Sakthivel's mother) who played an Main role, but in November 2023 she quit the serie, and it was replaced by Actress Sindhu. It also marks Shamitha Shreekumar, who was last seen in Mouna Raagam season 1 on the same channel, was cast after a lengthy absence. However In 2 July 2024, Sindhu was replaced by Reehana who was cast to play the role of Jayalakshmi.

In October 2023, Shiyara Sharmi was replaced by Jayashri Jue who was cast to play the role of Vennila. In 26 January 2024, actor Vetri Vasanth was cast as special Appearances. In June 2024, singer and actor Mohan Vaidya was cast as Thuyanathan in special Appearances. In same month, anchor Azhar was cast as Karthik.

Release
It began airing on Star Vijay starting 27 March 2023, replacing Namma Veetu Ponnu.