Ponniyil Selvan 2 (PS2) Review

 "The lies that the kings tell is called Politics" as Nandhini says with authenticity, it drives us back to the mighty Chola empire of power, vengeance, thrown, and thus the bloodshed. The film is one of the stellar parades of the most talented artists of Indian cinema in terms of both on-screen performances and off-screen technicality.

The story of PS 2 has given an equitable impact on each leading character like Aditya Karikalan, Nandhini, Kundavai, Arul Mozhi and Vallavadevan. At the same time, the emotional hook of the film is not the war for the thrown but the troubled past and complex romance of Nandhini and Aditya Karikalan. All the characters were at their best in the hands of dedicated actors like Vikram, Aishwarya rai bachan, Karthi, Jayam Ravi and Trisha.

The Beauty.

PS2 can be considered as a reflection of Might, with period splendour. Great Palaces, Brave Warfare,  Gorgeous women, and rich culture, are all represented as eulogized enigmas of the Chola kingdom. Actors made the beauty of this golden medieval canvas more astonishing. Aishwarya rai bachan expressed rage, regret and romance alternatively as her character demands and Vikram mastered in showing the same in a male's perspective. They both share the screen for about 10 minutes during the last sequence in which the film could make it's emotional impact pierced into the audience. When Vikram says " The one you loved is not within me. I lost it as I wander like an animal" Before this scene Aiswarya rai bachan also conveys the same inner self to a Pandya commander that " What I can't do here, Can not be done by anyone else".. Such impactful script, great performances and magnificent visuals make the PS2 beautifull.

The power.

Period dramas are generally valued for its lavish use of men in fights. The film Bahubali had set a benchmark to value such scenes in films as everyone will compare. PS 2 also satisfies such an audience by giving enough action sequences and also thus makes it a commercial film rather than sticking on to the emotional aspects of the story. It not only shows the gigantic palaces in wide frames to exploit the artworks but also carefully shifts the lens to close ups most often. The gurateed performances of actors this add the power to the story with their detailed facial expression in such close-up shots. Pandyas are shown as men of power with hyper inflated muscles and aggressive behaviour and  physicality also makes the film impactful with it's power. 

The Romance.

Karikalan and Nandhini, Vallavadevan and Kundavai,  Arul mozhi and Vanathi, Mandakini and Sundara chola, are all have varying shades of romance. Mandakinis troubled past, Karikalans misconceptions, Vallavadhevans loyalty, are such measures that some way promotes or the other way limits their love interests. Though the film focusses more on Karikalans story, the other relationships are also addressed with care and beauty. Kundavai comes to see vallavadhevan in a boat and their combination scenes in a riverine island adds glitters of romance. Mamdakinis story with sundara chola is a  heartbreaking arrow of the film and Arul mozhi with his cool and clear characters safely handles his love interest too. The film systematically absorbed such romance without making it just a royal love story.

The music.

Background score is made as if it's so natural to the story. One can't pick a favourite track from it. It's made as it's made together with the cinematography. No songs stands out particularly but the music seems more embedded in the story itself. 

Rating.

Am giving 8.5 out of ten for this Mani ratnam magic and doubtlessly saying that it's worth the hype..