The grandiose Tamil thrillers hail leaves every viewer starry-eyed and breathless. With the industry bringing multiple high-budget, high-drama films, it has become one leading Indian television communities. Be it S.S Rajamouli’s Bahubali duology or his romantic historical drama, Magadheera, the realism packed with fictional elements lure millions of viewers in an instant. Mani Ratnam’s much-anticipated medieval age drama, Ponniyin Selvan is another blockbuster to join the Tamil industry’s list of primetime thrillers. Set in the aesthetic backdrop of 900 to 950 AD, centuries prior to democracy, Ponniyin Selvan narrates the rise and downfall of the crown prince, Aditha Karikalan (Vikram).
On the surface, the film might appear to be another historical drama. But as the layers unfold and the characters take centre stage, Ponniyin Selvan becomes a hazy blend of several elements. Pack in ambition, greed, guilt, forbidden romance, betrayal, deceit and action and you’ll find what Ponniyin Selvan is all about. And each of these elements leads to the gigantic success of Ponniyin Selvan as it becomes the highest-grossing Tamil film of 2023!
Ponniyin Selvan 2 Worldwide Box Office Collection
The journey of manifesting Ponniyin Selvan has never been without the presence of several speed breakers. The film didn’t only go through developmental changes, cast transformation or financial issues but also has been delayed countless times. But when Ponniyin Selvan hit theatres, it broke existing records and created a heavy impact on its viewers. With the cliffhangers it left, Ponniyin Selvan 2 became the most-anticipated film of 2023.
And it did not disappoint! Ponniyin Selvan 2 premiered on 28 April 2023 and became an instant success. It didn’t only threw several popular releases behind but also established its position as one of the finest historical dramas possessed by the Tamil television industry. A couple of weeks later, Ponniyin Selvan 2 was released globally. The movie stirred quite a commotion in the international film industry as well and earned several compliments for its finesse and gripping storyline. It managed to collect over 300 crore INR, making it a highly successful film.
After its prequel managed to grab 300 crores INR, the sequel is trailing closely behind and is about to overstep the mark as well. Ponniyin Selvan becomes Kollywood’s third all-time grosser and an Indian monumental film taking the United States audience by storm as well. It also managed to create a lasting impact on the international audience and has set the standards for all upcoming historical fiction high.
Ponniyin Selvan Is An Adaptation Of Kalki’s Magnum Opus Novel
When it comes down to history, India is the richest country with its empires, dynasties and kingdoms being the most affluent ones. Ponniyin Selvan makes it a mission to portray this magnificent history and bring forward glimpses of the lifestyle led by the two rival dynasties, the Pandyas and the Cholas. It is a vivid portrayal of the rivalry that seeps bone-deep within these two communities and how their co-existence is the only saviour of the nation. However, the crux lays beneath the faux smiles as the wide cast ensemble of Ponniyin Selvan holds a metaphorical knife against each other’s throat.
The reason we are able to watch Aishwarya Rai Bachchan starrer cinematic portrayal of the then-leading dynasties in Ponniyin Selvan is Kalki. The infamous author of multiple novel series derives inspiration from authentic artefacts and delivers a mind-boggling blend of facts and fiction.
Ponniyin Selvan Wouldn’t Be Shrouded In Grandeur Without Mani Ratnam
The movie wouldn’t have been possible if the director behind Mouna Ragam’s romantic trilogy, Mani Ratnam wouldn’t stepped ahead and shouldered this slightly overbearing and overwhelming responsibility. Ponniyin Selvan was supposed to be released way ahead, decades ago. MG Ramachandran, the chief minister of Tamil Nadu decided to adapt Kalki’s novel into a cinematic delight a couple of decades ago. But he eventually dropped the idea. Kamal Haasan then decided to continue his idea. But due to the huge budget and directorial skills requirement had to forego the idea.
Eventually, Ratnam carried out their ambitious journey and made Ponniyin Selvan possible. Bridging the distance between historical non-fiction and cinematic drama and spice expectations was certainly no easy feat but Ratnam made it possible. It is due to him that the Ponniyin Selvan duology has been able to hit theatres–and it did hit hard, didn’t it?
The First Milestone In Ponniyin Selvan Timeframe
Dynasties aren’t run by the meek, empires need strong shoulders to carry the weight of hundreds and thousands of people. Ponniyin Selvan commences by highlighting the grandiosity of the Chola Dynasty. It is a bright sunny morning and another regular day. But eventually, the sun sets and the Chola dynasty is hit with a punch in the face. This metaphorical punch hails as a comet and hints at the unexpected death of the royal family. The said someone turns out to be the emperor of the Chola empire, Sundara Chola (Prakash Raj). And here ensues the struggle between Sundara’s son for succession.
The eldest son, Aditha Karikalan (Vikram) renowned in the kingdom as Ponniyin Selvan is a brutal ruler. He’s brawn and brain together sans the heart. His younger brother, Arulmozhi Varman (Jayam Ravi) is the heart of the empire. The kind-spirited, genuinely reliable and ungreedy for the throne, Varman holds a special position amongst the people. However, Varman’s sister, Kundavi has other plans namely dethroning Aditha and handing over the seat to Varman.
On the other hand, the Pandyas are amidst curating a plan to ruin the Chola dynasty. And their first step is dethroning Aditha. Then we have the Madurantakan clan led by Sundara’s nephew, Pazhuvettaraiyar, who also aspires to become the ruler of the Chola dynasty.
It isn’t over yet!
While these clans pose a major threat to the crown prince, the woman after his heart is now after his life, too. Nandhini (Aishwarya Rai Bachchan) was once Aditha’s love interest. And while the spark is still sizzling, it deviates more towards becoming a flame that’ll burn down Aditha’s life. He brutally slaughtered Nandhini’s partner and now she’s after revenge in collaboration with the Pandyas.
Ponniyin Selvan Season 2 Storyline
The prequel is more of a prologue with a dozen characters taking the limelight and their journeys being portrayed to us. However, Ponniyin Selvan 2 extends the plot and lets the audience glimpse behind Nandhini’s ulterior motives in its sinewy glory. The invisible thread binding these two might appear to be Nandhini’s unfurled rage. But in its originality is nothing more than the sting of unrequited love. The film in a broader sense is all about the Chola dynasty’s successors, Aditha and Arunmozhi. But at its heart lies a blend of ambition, betrayal, guilt, love and much more.
Ponniyin Selvan 2 introduces the Vanara clan prince, Vallavaraiyan Vandiyadevan (Karthi) as he deals with life-threatening enemies. He plots to expand the rift between the Cholas and the Pandyas. Aditha and Nandhini are still stuck somewhere in a dark corner of past mistakes. Arunmozhi has now started to step towards exerting his position as the emperor of the Chola empire. If the endless plethora of enemies isn’t enough, the Chola dynasty is surrounded by some insider threats as well.
The major plot twist in Ponniyin Selvan 2 occurs when Nandhini’s backstory is slowly unravelled and her connection with the Chola dynasty stems deeper. The first film introduced us to a grey-haired, melancholic woman, Mandakini (Aishwarya Rai Bachchan in a double role). It teased us with an evolutionary change in the lives of the Cholas. Ponniyin Selvan 2 delivers it with sheer accuracy. Mandakini and Nandhini’s similar faces are due to a deeper connection between the two. As hinted by Part 1, Nandhini is the daughter of a deaf Mandakini who once had a complicated relationship with a powerful member of the Chola family.
Ponniyin Selvan isn’t just a mere historical thriller, it is a journey of unravelling the secrets that are buried deep in the walls of the Chola empire. It is absolutely fair that the Ponniyin Selvan duology enjoys a massive worldwide box office collection.
Ponniyin Selvan 2 Worldwide Box Office Collection: FAQs
It is a historical thriller centred around the Chola dynasty and its rivalry with the Pandyas. It is a tale of a succession struggle wrapped alongside a failed love story and the rift between the Chola siblings.
It grossed over 400 crore INR and is now trending in major countries such as the United States.
The combined budget of both films is 500 crore INR combined.
If you’re into historical fantasies, Ponniyin Selvan is a must-try for you.
Yes, there is a trailer available for Ponniyin Selvan 2.
Ponniyin Selvan is currently enjoying a theatrical release. But it is confirmed that Amazon Prime Video has licensed it. All of us online viewers can watch this historical drama on this streaming platform.