PONNIYIN SELVAN (PS2) PART 2: MASTERPIECE AND MAGNIFICIENT! MOVIE REVIEW (VOL 32) Down Memory Lane!

1.  

Ponniyin Selvan is a masterpiece of Kalki Krishnamoorthy written in 1950s and this novel still is considered as the best ever story on the Chola Kingdom the pride of Tamils which extended beyond the Indian shore upto Indonesia.

It was the dream of Manirathinam  one of the greatest directors of our time to make this epic his own way.  PS-1 made a faithful reproduction of Kalki’s classic and introduced all the lead characters. There was lot more to cover in this sequel. How could he cover all the remaining volumes of the great Kalki (2500+ pages) within this sequel I was wondering. Could he live upto to the sky high expectations from the fans of Kalki as well as the movie goers who had been not exposed to the novel.

After seeing the sequel, the concluding part t is one of the most satisfying movie and maybe one of the best movies created in the celluloid. Certainly the 2 hour45 minute movie spectacle made us spellbound and not a single scene shown in this epic Shakespearan tragedy s not connected with the main story . Manirathinam known fror his romance (from Mouna Raagam to Roja  Bombay ) over the period of nearly four decades   starts the movie his own way starting with the love and separation of young Karikalan and Nandini which is the foundation of this story of love and revenge and then connects with the end of first part and the story starts to unfold. It is magical once the plot after plot unfolds over the screen the twist and action drama of suspense,spy  universe and master plan to kill the Chola King and the 2 princes all at the same time. This is the battle of righteous and ruthless fight by the intruders within the kingdom helped by Nandini to reach their goal. I don’t want to reveal the story and will only tell the dedication of the artists behind the master captain who has earned respect over the years with his imagination and understanding of movie making and most important humility.

AR Rahman with the superb music and background score gives the medley of the past and present and has totally involved at every scene. The first part music was good but the missing element was the period music which was the conscious decision by Mani with the current generation. In the sequel Rahman covers the period music also be it the Pasuram Adi Shankara sloka or lilting melody or the songs of chola pride and heroism. Mani chops the full song like most popular ones like the romantic one of Kundavai and Vandiya Thevan (Aga nagaa) to keep it in line with the narrative with his unique picturization.

While Karikalan (Vikram) steals the show with Nandini (Aiswarya Bachan) the main heroes of the sequel the dialogues are crisp and powerful. Mandakini (Oomai Rani) role is well chiseled and Aiswarya sparkles. This is their best ever performance and the fulcrum of the second part.

Arul mozhi varman is the contrast and one of calm and composure very well played by Jayam Ravi and his recovery by the monks at the Buddhist monestry  shown at Nagpattinam is the finest display of the respect shown by the Chola kings to Buddhism. His love of Buddhism helped later to spread the Chola Dynasty across the Southeast Asia as far as Indonesia. Vandiya Thevan and Kundavai brings back the lighter moments in between the conflicts. Who else can be the better fit than Karthi and Trisha and like in the first part they excel.

Roles Of VanathiShobita)  and Poonkuzali (Aiswarya Lakshmi) are limited in scope as in the novel and they support the main characters. Azhwarkadiyan the key character Nambi is humorous like in the novel and Jayaram lives the role.

 Madurantagan(Rahman) has the key role in the squeal and his mind change from religious to take the crown well explained.

What makes the movie special are the technical people behind the movie. Ravi Varman cinematography is the masterpiece and his camera speak volumes at every scene and brings the right atmosphere be it the aerial shots when required or closeup or the final scenes in the dark with only natural lamps when Karikalan meets Nandhini and closeups of emotions.

Thotha Tharani the veteran craftsman has created the sets which brings out the grandeur of the chola palaces or the inside sets when the Chola King is being targeted for Assassination. Sara Arjun as young Nandini is good.

Everyone in this grand movie has dedicated themselves however small their role is, and the conductor Mani makes sure that is finally the entire team effort that lifts this movie to become an epic historical one.

Prakash Raj as Sundara chola with Mandakini in the end and Kunthavai while asking the past shows the suffering and relates his pain with his son Karikalan who had a similar experience.

The crowd scenes and the fight sequences are like Bahubali, but this movie is more on human emotions and conflicts and the drama overtakes the grandeurs.

Thee best credit goes to Sreekar Prasad whose editing takes the movie to a different level. He makes sure that there is not a single dull moment. Also the screenplay writers Jayamohan and the team behind the selection of jewelry and dresses of that era!

How could Manirathinam take both the parts during the Covid times when everyone was scared to leave the home. What makes these artists and technicians risk their life for the love of South Cinema and complete the entire movie of both parts simultaneously? It is teamwork due to the respect for this ace director who made sure they are all working for the same cause. Kudos to all

The locales wherever it was taken are too good. We can proudly now say we are from the land of Cholas and how this Kingdom had made so many temples which takes us back to the roots.

Finally, which is the ultimate sacrifice. Is it that of Arul Mozhi Varman who gave the throne to his uncle or the sacrifice of Oomai Rani who saved both the father the king and the Prince till the end. Raja Raja Cholan ruled later after 14 years and with his son Rajendra Cholan reached the pinnacle of glory far beyond the south India which even can be seen at places far beyond India.

What made Kalki this selfless sacrifice as the main theme in the end? Kalki Krishnammorthy born in a poor family of 3 brothers. Only one of them could afford get education and the other brothers sacrificed for him. This might have triggered the final end to this epic.

There are many questions even then after he wrote the 5 volumes on what happened to the characters in the end. Manirathinam has taken liberty to give his own interpretation little different from the novel and this is his vision.

Manirathinam has completed the dream now after so many failed attempts in the past. The overseas Indian is looking for class movies like this. This movie will be close to the heart of every Tamilian. Irrespective of the fate of this movie in Hindi or Telugu all that I can see is that Overseas collections across South East Asia,South Asia .Europe and USA will beat domestic collections in the end. It is Time for other makers to explore other classics and bring back the heritage of India.

Manirathinam you made us proud by bringing back the best of the past. 

This is your crowning glory.

The Movie was viewed in IMAX Format at Schamburg North Chicago

RATING *****