Ponniyin Selvan: II

Ponniyin Selvan: II (PS-2, transl. The Son of Ponni) is a 2023 Indian Tamil-language epic 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 Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Vikram, Jayam Ravi, Karthi, Trisha, Jayaram, Prabhu, R. Sarathkumar, Sobhita Dhulipala, Aishwarya Lekshmi, Vikram Prabhu, Prakash Raj, Rahman and R. Parthiban. It 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.

Ponniyin Selvan 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 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, and received positive reviews from critics. It was featured at the 54th IFFI Indian Panorama mainstream section.