Review : PS 2 : Impactful visual treat!

#Kalki’s #PonniyinSelvan was adapted by master #filmmaker #Maniratnam into a film by same name and he, though the film being shot at one go, released it in two parts. The first part of Ponniyin Selvan was a little confusing for viewers as there were a lot of questions unanswered but Maniratnam has finally given answers to all those questions in #PonniyinSelvan2. He justifies every move from the first part in this final part and the grandeur viewers witnesses is outstanding. The fight for the throne is interlaced with romance which leaves an impact. Maniratnam tells the story in detail and the major screen time of RAishwaryaRaiBachchan is soothing to the eyes. This time around the director has dived deeper into the #Cholakingdom and the multiple characters’ complexities.

In Ponniyin Selvan, the Cholas, Arunmozhi (Jayam Ravi), Nandini (Aishwarya Rai Bachchan) Aditha Karikalan (Vikram) Kanduvai (Trisha) and Vallavaraiyan (Karthi) are the part of the narrative with their respective motives. Nandini is still raging and seeks revenge while Aditha Karikalan still a broken lover but the protector too. Though the war against Cholas is being planned, there’s an emotional war too which takes place simultaneously. The love stories shown in bits and pieces in part one, take full steam in this part and Mani Ratnam uses his skills to make them authentic. Though the first half is about planning and plotting, the movie speeds up in the second half with multiple events rapidly taking pace and also the love between the multiple characters is shown blooming.

Maniratnam takes his own time to attach the proceedings from part 2 to part 1. He magically intertwines the entire widespread narrative around this plot keeping the proceedings simpler. The production values are very high and it’s a visual treat to watch this masterpiece by Maniratnam on big screen. Cinematography (Tavi Varman) is excellent and so is VFX. Music (AR Rahman) is good and adds to the beauty of the film. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan looks mesmerising in all the frames, including an old woman get up, and she has given a restrained performance which is appealing. Karthi is good in action as well as his humour makes viewers love him. Jayam Ravi, as Arunmozhi, looks charming and Sobhita Dhulipala and Aishwarya Lekshmi look promising though they have minuscule screen time.

Manitatnam’s PS 2 is an impactful visual treat.

Rating : ***1/2