Ponniyin Selvan: II

Ponniyin Selvan: II

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.

Director

Mani Ratnam

Release

28 Apr 2023

Run time

164 min

Language

Tamil