Ponniyin Selvan: II

Ponniyin Selvan: II (PS-2, ) is a 2023 Indian Tamil-language epic historical action drama film directed by Mani Ratnam, who co-wrote it with Elango Kumaravel and B. Jeyamohan. The film is produced by Mani Ratnam and Subaskaran Allirajah under Madras Talkies and Lyca Productions. The second of two cinematic parts based on the 1954 novel Ponniyin Selvan by Kalki Krishnamurthy, it serves as a direct sequel to Ponniyin Selvan: I (2022). The film stars an ensemble cast including Vikram, Karthi, Jayam Ravi, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Trisha, Jayaram, Prabhu, R. Sarathkumar, Sobhita Dhulipala, Aishwarya Lekshmi, Vikram Prabhu, Prakash Raj, Rahman and R. Parthiban. It continues to follow the prince Arulmozhi Varman (who would become the emperor Rajaraja I) and his family as they deal with threats to the Chola Empire.

Ponniyin Selvan was initially intended to be a single film, but was split into two parts that were produced concurrently. Joint principal photography for both parts began in December 2019, halting twice due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and ultimately wrapping on 16 September 2021. The soundtrack was composed by A. R. Rahman, with cinematography by Ravi Varman, editing by A. Sreekar Prasad, and production design by Thota Tharani.

Ponniyin Selvan: II was released in theatres worldwide on 28 April 2023 in standard, IMAX, 4DX, and EPIQ formats, and received positive reviews from critics. It was featured at the 54th IFFI Indian Panorama mainstream section.

Plot
The film opens with a flashback, chronicling the childhood of Nandini and Aditha Karikalan. Nandini was raised in a priestly family, and Aditha, training for his future as king, met during Nandini's visit to Pazhayarai. Love sparks at first sight, coinciding with Arulmozhi's horse race victory. Kundavai tries to befriend Nandini, but a playful moment with Aditha leads to Nandini's forced departure from the palace. Kundavai, discovering Nandini's orphan status, forbids her from palace visits. Nandini then deliberately ignores Aditha's attempts to reconnect.

Aditha informs Nandini of his imminent two-year military deployment. Saddened, Nandini prays daily by the river where he departed. Upon his return, they confess their love. Despite Kundavai's objections to Nandini's beauty and non-royal status, Aditha Karikalan and Nandini hope for a happy marriage. Facing opposition, they plan to introduce Nandini as the future queen. However, Kundavai and Sembiyan Mahadevi forcefully expel Nandini during Aditha Karikalan's absence, leading to his devastation upon learning of her departure and refuge under Veerapandiyan.

In the current timeline, the presumed death of Arulmozhi Varman, saddens the empire. Parthibendran Pallavan, smitten by Nandini, is manipulated into diverting Aditha Karikalan to Kadambur for the empire's well-being. Ravidasan and the Pandya Aabathudavigal ensure Ponniyin Selvan's demise. Vallavaraiyan Vandiyadevan and Poonguzhali, with a frail Ponniyin Selvan, encounter Azhwarkadiyan Nambi and Sendhan Amudhan. Vandiyadevan misleads Ravidasan, and gets captured. Meanwhile, Madhurantakan proclaims himself successor, aligning with Shivan Adiyars and Rashtrakuta King Khottiga for vengeance.

Nandini daydreams about Aditha through his Tiger Signet ring. Later, she, Ravidasan, and others plot to assassinate Aditha Karikalan, Sundara Chozhar, and Ponniyin Selvan. Nandini reveals her plan to kill Aditha Karikalan in Kadambur, overheard by the captive Vandiyadevan. He discloses seeing Oomai Rani, Nandini's mother-like figure, earning his reprieve. Disguised Nambi rescues Vandiyadevan, who informs Kundavai of Ponniyin Selvan's survival, reciprocating her feelings.

Nambi alerts Aditha Karikalan of Ponniyin Selvan's existence. Kundavai and Aditha rush to Nagapattinam's Viharam, where Ponniyin Selvan is being treated. Aditha learns of Nandini's plot in Kadambur but dismisses Vandiyadevan's warning. Ponniyin Selvan reveals Oomai Rani's resemblance to Nandini, raising Kundavai's suspicions about her father's knowledge.

She travels to Thanjavur, where Sundara Chozhar discloses his past with Mandakini in Lanka. Kundavai suspects Nandini's relation but learns Mandakini was pregnant two years after Sundara Chozhar's marriage. Pandyas plan to murder Ponniyin Selvan, but he foils their attempt. In Thanjavur's fort, Pandyas infiltrate, leading to conflict between Velar and Pazhuvettaraiyar. Madhurantakan flees through a tunnel to the Rashtrakutas. Ponniyin Selvan and Vaanathi arrive, bringing peace to the warring factions.

Poonguzhali, spotting the Pandyas, alerts Chinna Pazhuvettaraiyar in Thanjavur. Meanwhile, in Kadambur, Aditha Karikalan arrives. As Nandini and Aditha Karikalan lock eyes, they reminisce about their past love that transformed into hatred. Periya Pazhuvettaraiyar and other kings propose dividing the kingdom with Madhurantakan, but Aditha Karikalan opposes, offering to relinquish the domain for Madhuranthakan's rule if he can keep his army for his siblings' safety. Everyone agrees to his condition.

Periya Pazhuvettaraiyar heads to Thanjavur to inform Madhurantakan, but Karuthiruman, a rower who aided the Pandyas in Lanka, informs him of Nandini and the Pandya plot against Aditha Karikalan in Kadambur. In an attempt to rescue Aditha Karikalan, Karuthiruman hurries back to Kadambur, while the Pandyas use a tunnel to infiltrate the city. Vandiyadevan and Periya Pazhuvettaraiyar, also attempting a rescue, are knocked unconscious. Mandakini, attempting to reach Sundara Chozhar, takes an arrow intended for him and dies. Hearing his father's grief, Ponniyin Selvan arrives, defeats the Pandya assassins, and kills them.

In Kadambur, Aditha Karikalan confronts Nandini, asking why she wants him there. As Nandini falters in her motivation, Aditha, understanding her feelings, requests her to end his life, expressing the pain of being apart from her. Overwhelmed, Nandini cannot bring herself to stab him. Aditha Karikalan takes out his knife, hugs Nandini tightly, and pierces the knife into his heart, revealing his unconditional love for her. Nandini screams in pain, unable to see him die as she still loves him. The Pandyas forcefully remove Nandini from Kadambur, saving her from execution. Meanwhile, Vandiyadevan and Periya Pazhuvettaraiyar, unconscious, are taken away by the Pandyas.

Upon regaining consciousness, Vandiyadevan carries Aditha Karikalan's lifeless body to Parthibendra Pallavan and other kings, who accuse him of murder. Aditha Karikalan's maternal grandfather, Thirukovalur Malaiyaman, seizes Vandiyadevan and Sambuvarayar, the king of Kadambur, suspecting their involvement. Aditha Karikalan's corpse is taken to Thanjavur, where Sundara Chozhar, his family, and the public mourn his tragic demise. On a ship, the apprehended Karuthiruman reveals to a grieving Nandini that her father is Veerapandiyan, who raped Mandakini, leading to her birth. Nandini, feeling betrayed by everyone and traumatized by Aditha's death, drowns herself in the river Ponni, revealing her unconditional love for Aditha Karikalan.

Nambi informs Chinna Pazhuvettaraiyar of Periya Pazhuvettaraiyar's location, leading to his release from the Pandya captivity. Vandiyadevan faces accusations in Sundara Chozhar's court, but Periya Pazhuvettaraiyar returns, disclosing the truth. Meanwhile, Parthibendran accuses Ponniyin Selvan of orchestrating Aditha Karikalan's death and allies with the Rashtrakutas and other rival kingdoms to invade the Chola empire for vengeance. Sundara Chozhar allows Vandiyadevan to assist Ponniyin Selvan in the impending battle.

Madhurantakan refuses to fight against his homeland and sides with Ponniyin Selvan, contributing to the Cholas' victory. Later, Sundara Chozhar decides to abdicate the throne in favor of his only surviving son. However, on the coronation day, Ponniyin Selvan proposes crowning Madhurantakan, who adopts the name 'Uttama Chola.'

The epilogue reveals that Vandiyadevan and Ponniyin Selvan led extensive conquests under Uttama Chola's reign. After Uttama Chola's death, Ponniyin Selvan ascends to the throne as 'Rajaraja Chola,' while the Pandyas are captured and punished.

Narration
The film's narration was voiced by Kamal Haasan (both trailer and film), Anil Kapoor (trailer)/Ajay Devgn (film), Rana Daggubati (trailer)/Chiranjeevi (film), Prithviraj Sukumaran (trailer)/Mammootty (film) and Jayanth Kaikini (trailer)/Upendra (film) in the Tamil, Hindi, Telugu, Malayalam, and Kannada languages respectively.

Production
Ponniyin Selvan was originally planned as a single film with a budget of inr 5000000000. After principal photography commenced in December 2019, it was reported in January 2020 that the film would be split into two parts, which was confirmed by Mani Ratnam that April. Both parts were to be shot back-to-back, with some sources reporting that the ₹500 crore budget was spread across two parts. In September 2021, production of the first part wrapped, with filming for a few sequences of the second part remaining. Part of this took place in March 2022, with a sequence involving Ravi and Karthi filmed in Mumbai. The remaining patchwork of Ponniyin Selvan: II was filmed in January 2023.

Music
The film score and soundtrack were composed by Mani Ratnam's regular collaborator A. R. Rahman. The audio rights of the film were purchased by Tips Industries.

The soundtrack consists of seven original songs composed by A. R. Rahman. The first, "Aga Naga", was released as a single on 20 March 2023. The remaining tracks were revealed at a trailer and audio launch on 29 March 2023. Lyrics for the Tamil version of the soundtrack were written by Ilango Krishnan. It includes Sangam-literature poet Kudavayil Keerathanar's excerpts, whereas "Aazhi Mazhai Kanna" was inspired from Andal's Thiruppavai, and "Shivoham" from Adi Shankara's Atma Shatakam in the Tamil version. Gulzar, Ananta Sriram, Chandrabose, Ramajogayya Sastry, Rafeeq Ahamed and Jayanth Kaikini wrote the song lyrics in Hindi, Telugu, Malayalam, and Kannada respectively.

In May 2023, Wasifuddin Dagar publicized that "Veera Raja Veera" had been adapted from a 1978 dhrupad composition by the Junior Dagar Brothers without attribution.

Theatrical
Ponniyin Selvan: II was released in standard, IMAX, 4DX and EPIQ formats in theatres on 28 April 2023 worldwide. It is the first South Indian film to release in 4DX format.

Distribution
The distribution rights of the film in Tamil Nadu were acquired by Red Giant Movies. The Andhra Pradesh and Telangana distribution rights were bought by Dil Raju's Sri Venkateswara Creations. The Kerala distribution rights were bought by Gokulam Gopalan's Sree Gokulam Movies. The North India distribution rights were acquired by Pen India Limited. Lyca Productions acquired the overseas distribution rights.

Home media
The digital streaming rights for the film were purchased by Amazon Prime Video for inr 1250000000 and started streaming on the platform from 2 June 2023 in Tamil and dubbed versions of Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada languages. The Hindi dubbed version was premiered from 23 June 2023. The satellite rights of the film was sold to Sun TV.

Box office
The film grossed ₹345 crore and is currently the third highest-grossing Tamil film of 2023 and one of the highest-grossing Tamil films worldwide.

Critical response
Ponniyin Selvan: II received positive reviews from critics.

Kirubhakar Purushothaman, of The Indian Express, gave 4.0 out of 5 stars and wrote "While the fans of the book might be disappointed with some major deviations from the book, the ace director understands the form won't let him be entirely faithful to the novel." Haricharan Pudipeddi, a critic of Hindustan Times, wrote "Apart from the gut-wrenching drama, it's the exquisite that elevate PS 2 in terms of delivering a larger-than-life viewing experience." M. Suganth of The Times of India gave 3.5 out of 5 stars and opined that "right until the climax, this doomed romance is what sustains the tension in this tale and drives the characters to make decisions that have far-reaching impact". Sukanya Verma from Rediff.com gave 3.5 stars out of 5 and stated "Ratnam's spectacle may be steeped in fiction and fantasy but its entitlement and opportunism feels as real and relevant as ever."

A critic from India Today gave 3 stars out of 5 stars and appreciated the film. Nandini Ramnath critic of Scroll.in mentioned the film as having "Mesmerising visuals and memorable characters". However, News18 gave a mixed review. 123telugu rated the film 3 out of 5 and wrote "Give it a shot if you love watching period dramas". Manoj Kumar of OTTplay gave 3 out of 5 and stated "Mani Ratnam has done a fabulous job in translating this epic novel onto the big screen". Srinivasa Ramanujam of The Hindu called it a "satisfying sequel", saying that "Ponniyin Selvan: II takes creative liberties from Kalki's material, but the performances and cinematic touches keep you invested".