Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Jayam Ravi at Ponniyin Selvan 2 event.The trailer and music launch of the eagerly awaited Mani Ratnam directorial Ponniyin Selvan 2 was held in Chennai’s Nehru Indoor Stadium on March 29. The event saw pivotal cast and crew members of the magnum opus, including Jayam Ravi, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Vikram, Karthi, Trisha and AR Rahman among others, in attendance. The function’s special guest was megastar Kamal Haasan, who has collaborated with Ratnam in the past.
The official social media handle of the film had shared some details earlier about the big launch. “An evening of music, nostalgia, and history awaits you at the #PS2 music launch! Join us!” read one caption. Another post read, “A momentous occasion calls for a momentous guest! Join us in welcoming the one and only #UlagaNayagan @ikamalhaasan sir to unveil the music and trailer of #PS2 on March 29th at Nehru Indoor Stadium, Chennai!.”
The second installment of Ponniyin Selvan, based on Kalki Krishnamurthy’s 1955 novel of the same name, will take off from the conclusion of the first movie, where we saw Ponniyin Selvan facing his death, as Aishwarya Rai’s Oomai Rani jumps in the sea to save him.
Ponniyin Selvan 2 will release in cinemas on April 28 this year.
“Like how Aditya Karikalan cannot forget Nandini, I can't forget Aditya Karikalan. I have many dream roles and this role is one such. The courage, compassion and love that he has is something I loved. I am lucky to do such a role. That too in a Mani Ratnam movie. It is even more special. I have to thank him for that. Also, thank you for accepting me in the role. There were so many people who worked on this role, right from costume designer to choreographer. Rahman sir had composed a beautiful background score. He has outdone himself. Every time a song comes out, I keep listening to it on repeat,” says Vikram.
"After PS, I got so many posts from fans dressed up as Kundhavai. I reposted a few, but couldn't thank the rest. Even newborn babies were dressed up as her. Thanks for making her a hit. Uyir epodhum ungaladayathu thaan,” says Trisha.
"It was during Kaithi shooting that he asked me to play Vandhiyathevan and I thought of something like Gladiator without knowing what it would be. I thank Mani sir for giving me such a romantic segment. For Payya, I got love letters. Now, after PS, I am receiving a lot of DMs. Thanks Mani sir for that," says Karthi.
"PS-2 is better than PS-1. You can see that in the trailer. We have seen glimpses of it. So, we know how it's going to be," says Jayam Ravi.
“If Karthi wasn’t there, I wouldn't have done it (Ponniyin Selvan). We discussed every day and he used to tell me to be patient. Thank you for him," says Jayam Ravi.
"This is a success of the idea (of Kalki Krishnamurthy). I think Mani Ratnam is the first person to make two films beforehand and released it one by one," says Jayam Ravi.
"Aishwarya ji, I want to share something. When I was in school, I was asked to sketch as part of a competition. I didn't know what to draw and I ended up sketching you, and I won the first prize. I first thought it was because it was my sketch but it is because of your beauty," says Simbu.
"When I was in a tough situation, Mani sir believed me and gave me a film. I have heard so much when I was young that people wanted to make the Ponniyin Selvan film, but after three attempts he has made it and he is simply sitting here. I see Mani sir as a child. Children, if they want something, they will do something and get it. That's what he will do. Somehow, he will get what he wants," says Simbu.
"People ask me every three years, 'When are you going to make a comeback?' They ask the same to Mani Ratnam (smirks). He has been around for 40 years and he has taken our cinema to the international stage. We are basically following his footsteps," says AR Rahman.
"My first scene was with Aishwarya. The scene is where I ask her about the missing signet ring. I just held her hand and asked her. Mani asked me to do it again slowly and romantically. I did it again and he cut the scene, and yelled, 'Sarath, don't you know how to romance?' Of all things, that hurt me a lot (laughs). This question to someone who got married twice and both were love marriage," says Sarathkumar.
Ponniyin Selvan 2 director Mani Ratnam refuses to talk and says, "Padam thaan pesanum (The film should do the talking)."
"You can't make such a film without fear. Mani Ratnam would have had fear as well," says Kamal Haasan. He added the hit dialogue from Kuruthipunal,"Veeram na enna theriyuma, bayam illatha maari nadikarathu (You know what courage is, it's to pretend that you don't have fear)." The crowd went nuts.
"If Ponniyin Selvan films talk about the golden era of Cholas, this is the golden era of Tamil cinema," says Kamal Haasan.
"My relationship with Mani goes even before Nayakan. This is kind of a felicitation for the first part. Even during the launch of PS-1, we all knew this is going to go somewhere," says Kamal Haasan.
"Only Simbu can relate to me when I say what it means to get appreciation from childhood," says Kamal Haasan.
Silambarasan makes a surprise appearance at the trailer and music launch of Ponniyin Selvan 2.
'I told Subaskaran (Lyca Productions founder) not to make Ponniyin Selvan because it is a classic and it is hard to emulate it. When he told me the cast, I was still half-hearted about it. When he said Mani Ratnam is directing the film, I was like he doesn't make films with enough light. But when the film came out, I was blown away by it. I didn't know he was capable of doing such a film. I salute him,” says Tamil Nadu water resources minister Duraimurugan
Oscar winning music composer A R Rahman has arrived for the trailer and music launch of Ponniyin Selvan 2.
Actor-filmmaker Kamal Haasan has arrived for the trailer and music launch of Ponniyin Selvan 2.
"Mani is a very jolly person. No one knows about it. Even today I was asking him about making such a tough film, he was like this is jujupi (nothing)," says Suhasini.
"If I have to talk about Mani, Suhasini should close her ear and eyes. Whenever I talk about him, it's all hearts," says Kushbhoo.
Vikram arrives late as he was a bit unwell. Crowd goes berserk and doesn't let anyone talk on stage and keeps shouting “Vikram Vikram”.
Actor Vikram has arrived for the trailer and music launch of Ponniyin Selvan 2.
"The second film makes Ponniyin Selvan a bigger thing than the first one. Ponniyin Selvan ran in a theatre in Stockholm for 45 days straight. Cholas history is taken to the world,” says writer Jeyamohan.
Dhivyadharshini and Raju Jeyamohan are hosting the trailer and music launch of Ponniyin Selvan 2.
Actor Sarathkumar has arrived for the trailer and music launch of Ponniyin Selvan 2.
Actor Jayam Ravi has arrived for the trailer and music launch of Ponniyin Selvan 2.
Actor Aishwarya Rai Bachchan has arrived for the trailer and music launch of Ponniyin Selvan 2.
Filmmaker N. Lingusamy has arrived for the trailer and music launch of Ponniyin Selvan 2.
Art director Thota Tharani has graced the trailer and music launch of Ponniyin Selvan 2.
Actor Vikram Prabhu has arrived at the trailer and music launch of Ponniyin Selvan 2.
Shobana is attending the trailer and music launch of Ponniyin Selvan 2.
Lal and Mani Ratnam have arrived at the trailer and music launch of Ponniyin Selvan 2.
Actor Rahman has arrived at the trailer and music launch of Ponniyin Selvan 2.
Actor-director Azhagam Perumal has arrived at the trailer and music launch of Ponniyin Selvan 2.
Megastar Kamal Haasan will attend the trailer and music launch of Mani Ratnam’s Ponniyin Selvan 2.
The trailer of Mani Ratnam’s Ponniyin Selvan 2 will be released at 9:30 pm today.
Fans are excited for the trailer launch of Mani Ratnam’s Ponniyin Selvan 2.