I advised Subaskaran not to make ‘Ponniyin Selvan’ into a film: Minister Durai Murugan

He also said that he had wondered whether director Mani Ratnam would be able to pull it off.

However, Durai Murugan went on to say that Subaskaran chose to disregard his advice and made the film, the first part of which went on to be an overwhelming success, garnering a whopping ₹500 crore all over the world.

“When I watched the first part, I was awestruck. My heartiest congratulations to Subaskaran who made the film, disregarding my advice, and my salute to Mani Ratnam. I wish the film’s second part makes twice the amount the first part did and proves to be an even bigger success than the first,” he said.

Kamal Haasan launches trailer

Veteran actor Kamal Haasan and actor Silamabarasan were the chief guests at the launch and the stadium was packed with celebrities from the Tamil film industry.

The trailer launch event was attended by the entire cast and crew of Ponniyin Selvan 2, including actors Vikram, Aishwarya Rai, Karthi, Jayam Ravi, Trisha, Aishwarya Lekshmi, and Shobitha Dhulipala.

Kamal Haasan launched the trailer in the presence of the film’s director Mani Ratnam and producer Subaskaran.

The trailer of the second part shows queen Nandini plotting the death of prince Aditya Karikala Chozhan even as prince Maduranthakan Devar stakes his claim to the throne of the empire in the wake of rumours that prince Arunmozhi Varman had drowned.

Attempts are made to break the Chola empire once again even as its heroes rally together to keep it from falling apart.

Also read: ‘PS 1’ is another testament to the greatness of Mani Ratnam

To release on 28 April

The eagerly-awaited second part of the classic is to hit screens all around the world on 28 April.

Haasan praised Mani Ratnam for doing the impossible and said “I wish PS-2 will exceed the success of PS-1.”

“Huge movies like this would really put directors into a more tense situation to show even the minutest of the details to make it believable,” the veteran said.

Being tense and living without fear is almost impossible in a movie like Ponniyin Selvan 2 and it was like his famous dialogue from the critically acclaimed Kuruthi Punal where he said “Veeram na enna nu theriuma? Bayam illatha mathiri nadikkarthu’ (You know what bravery means? Pretending to be fearless).

Silambarasan, whose Pathu Thala was released on Thursday, was asked by the anchor whether he likes Kundavai or Nandhini, played by Trisha and Aishwarya Rai, respectively.

The actor quipped “both eyes are important”.

All Smiles 😁 at #PonniyinSelvan2 Music & Trailer Launch! @chiyaan @actor_jayamravi @Karthi_Offl @SilambarasanTR_#PonniyinSelvan2 #PS2 #PS2Trailer #PS2AudioLaunch #CholasAreBack#ManiRatnam @arrahman @madrastalkies_ @LycaProductions @RedGiantMovies_ @tipsofficial pic.twitter.com/yTwkZAUzCe

— Lyca Productions (@LycaProductions) March 29, 2023

Also read: The scholar who rediscovered ‘Ponniyin Selvan’ Raja Raja Chola

‘Mani Ratnam took us to international stage’

AR Rahman, who has partnered with Ratnam’s every venture since his debut in the latter’s Roja (1992), said “Mani Ratnam has given me work for more than 30 years”.

“With Ponniyan Selvan, he has taken our cinema to the international stage,” Rahman added.

The lead actor of the movie Vikram, said much like Adithya Karikalan cannot forget Nandini, “I can’t forget Adithya Karikalan”, the role he plays in the film.

“I have many dream roles and this role is one such. The courage, compassion and love that Mani Ratnam has is something I loved,” he said.

Aishwarya Rai said, “Thank you for appreciating our work so much in PS-1. We thank the people here in Tamil Nadu, in our country and the world. We have received such enthusiasm for Ponniyin Selvan 2,” she said at the event.

(With PTI inputs)