Ponniyin Selvan: II

About the film

Ponniyin Selvan: II (PS-2, transl. The Son of Ponni) 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, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Ravi Mohan (as the title character), Karthi, Trisha Krishnan, Jayaram, Prabhu, R. Sarathkumar, Sobhita Dhulipala, Aishwarya Lekshmi, Vikram Prabhu, Prakash Raj, Rahman, R. Parthiban and others. 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.

Plot

A flashback chronicles the childhood romance between Aditha Karikalan and Nandini in Pazhayarai. Despite their deep bond, Karikalan's sister, Kundavai, and their grand-aunt, Sembiyan Madevi, forcefully expel the low-born Nandini from the kingdom during Karikalan’s military deployment. Devastated upon his return, Karikalan learns that Nandini has sought refuge under the rival Pandya king, Veerapandiyan, establishing her lifelong vendetta against the Chola dynasty.

In the current timeline, the presumed drowning of Prince Arulmozhi Varman throws the Chola Empire into deep mourning. Sensing an opportunity, the vengeful Nandini manipulates the smitten Chola chieftain Parthibendran Pallavan into diverting Crown Prince Karikalan to a trap at Kadambur Palace. Concurrently, the fanatical Pandya Abathudavigal assassins pursue the surviving royal lineage. In reality, a frail Arulmozhi Varman has survived the ocean storm but is incapacitated by a severe shipboard fever. He is clandestinely escorted to a Buddhist monastery in Nagapattinam by Vallavaraiyan Vandiyadevan, Poonguzhali, and the Vaishnavite spy Azhwarkadiyan Nambi. While running a distraction to throw off the pursuing Pandya assassins, Vandiyadevan is captured. In prison, he overhears Nandini planning Karikalan's assassination, but he buys his freedom by revealing that he witnessed Oomai Rani, the mute, mystical lookalike of Nandini, acting as Arulmozhi's silent protector. Nambi subsequently rescues Vandiyadevan, who rushes to warn Kundavai.

Kundavai and Karikalan converge at Nagapattinam, where Arulmozhi is convalescing. Although Vandiyadevan warns Karikalan of the trap awaiting him in Kadambur, the arrogant Crown Prince dismisses the threat. Meanwhile, Arulmozhi reveals the striking physical resemblance between Oomai Rani and Nandini. This prompts a suspicious Kundavai to confront her father, Emperor Sundara Chola, in Thanjavur. The bedridden Emperor confesses his past romance in Lanka with Mandakini Devi (the Mute Queen). Meanwhile, internal rebellions fracture the capital; the ambitious Prince Madhurantakan allies with the rival Rashtrakuta dynasty to claim the regency. However, the unexpected arrival of a recovered Arulmozhi Varman and his prospective bride, Vaanathi, defuses the warring domestic factions and restores peace to the Thanjavur fort.

Production

Ponniyin Selvan was originally planned as a single film with a budget of ₹500 crore (US$52 million). 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 Tiruppavai, and "Shivoham" from Adi Shankara's Atma Shatakam in the Tamil version. Gulzar, Anantha 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 claimed that "Veera Raja Veera" had been adapted from a 1978 Dhrupad composition by the Junior Dagar Brothers without attribution. The case was closed by the Supreme Court in February 2026 with the direction to add the following line in the song credits: “Composition inspired from the Dagarwani tradition Dhrupad, first recorded as Shiv Stuti by late Ustad Nasir Faiyazuddin Dagar and Ustad Nasir Zahiruddin Dagar, popularly known as Junior Dagar brothers."

Key details