Ponniyin Selvan: II (PS-2, ) is a 2023 Indian Tamil-language 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, Jayam Ravi, Karthi, Trisha, Jayaram, Prabhu, R. Sarathkumar, Sobhita Dhulipala, Aishwarya Lekshmi, Vikram Prabhu, Prakash Raj, Rahman and R. Parthiban.
Ponniyin Selvan 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. It 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 up 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.
Ponniyin Selvan: II was released in theatres worldwide on 28 April 2023 in standard, IMAX, 4DX, and EPIQ formats where it received positive reviews from critics.
Plot
The movie starts with a flashback, portraying Nandini and Aditha Karikalan's childhood. Nandini was brought up in a priest family and Aditha Karikalan was getting trained to be the future king. Nandini and Aditha Karikalan meet for the first time when Nandini comes to Pazhayarai with her parents and it was love at first sight to Aditha Karikalan which instantly made him loose a horse race in his training for the first time in his life. Kundavai tries to befriend Nandini and takes her to the palace and starts making fun of Nandini by getting her ready like a Princess which is interrupted by Aditha Karikalan. A shy Nandini runs away from there followed by Kundavai who learns from Nandini's foster parents that she is an orphan and Kundavai ordered Nandini to not to come to palace or meet Aditha Karikalan anymore. After that Nandini deliberately ignores Adithya Karikalan who is trying to talk to her.
On one fine day Aditha Karikalan meets Nandini in the temple to inform that he is going to war the next day and it may take more than 2 years to return back. Nandini is shocked and saddened to learn this she starts praying for him everyday and waits for Aditha Karikalan everday near the river from where he left Pazhayarai to place himself in the war. When Aditha Karikalan returns back Nandini confesses, Nandini and Aditha Karikalan love each other. Kundavai did not like Nandini as she is way more beautiful and intelligent despite not born in a royal family and doesn't want Nandini to be her sister-in-law, but Aditha Karikalan always wanted to marry her and lead a happy life. As time passes, one-day Aditha Karikalan took Nandini with him to his palace to introduce her to his family and let them know that she will be the future queen of the kingdom as he is going to marry her. Their romance is discouraged by princess Kundavai and Sembiyan Mahadevi, who consequently expel Nandini and her foster family from the kingdom while Aditha Karikalan is at war and becomes unaware of this . When he returns he is shattered to know that Nandini has died due to fire outbreak in the place(He again meets Nandini during the War with Pandya's where Nandini was trying to save Veera Pandiyan) . Nandini is said to have subsequently been taken in by Veerapandiyan, the Pandya ruler.
In the present timeline, Arulmozhi Varman alias Ponniyin Selvan presumed death disheartens the empire; Parthibendran Pallavan meets with Nandini on the coast and she manipulates him to misdirect Aditha Karikalan to Kadambur for the apparent well-being of the empire. Ravidasan and other members of Pandya Aabathudavigal wish to make sure that Ponniyin Selvan is dead. Vallavaraiyan Vandiyadevan and Poonguzhali row with a surviving and severely ill Ponniyin Selvan, who recollects being rescued by Oomai Rani from being drowned in the sea. They chance upon Azhwarkadiyan Nambi and Sendhan Amudhan, who suggests rushing Ponniyin Selvan to Buddhist monks for treatment. They see Ravidasan and his fellow perpetrators approaching and hence, Vandiyadevan misdirects them and gets himself seized. Elsewhere, Madhurantakan proclaims himself as successor to the throne, receives support from Shivan Adiyars and allies with Khottiga, the Rashtrakuta king, who desires to avenge being defeated by Aditha Karikalan in a battle by marrying his daughter.