Vikram in a still from ‘Ponniyin Selvan 2’ | Photo Credit: Special arrangement.
With a perpetual grin, Vikram talks about the respect he has for Mani Ratnam like a student does for his favorite teacher. “Of all the directors I have worked with, I have the best understanding with him. Sometimes, there are qualities in me that I am not aware of, and he brings them out to enhance my roles,” said the actor during a press conference in Bengaluru as part of the promotion of the sequel. Said. Ponniyin Selvan 1Based on Kalki’s five-part epic novel on the Chola dynasty.
Sitting beside him were his co-actors from the historical drama – Trisha, Jayam Ravi, and Karthi – and they couldn’t help but approve of Vikram’s admiration for the master storyteller. Ponniyin Selvan 2 The first installment hit the screens on April 28, exactly six months after its release and grossed nearly Rs 500 crore at the box office.
RavananThe retelling of Ramayana was Vikram’s first association with the filmmaker. A ‘Mani Ratnam’ film is a dream for most actors, and after starring in two, Vikram, with his trademark off-screen enthusiasm, spoke about how it was a dream come true. “In Mani sir’s film, I wanted my character to be introduced when he is riding a bike with a dash of glitz. but here, in Ponniyin Selvan 1I am presented sitting on a horse,” he said with a laugh.
The admiration is mutual, as expressed by Vikram when he remembers Mani’s unrealized but beloved promise. “Afterwards RavananMani sir told me, ‘Kenny, I want to do 100 films with you.’ I told him that 100 films will take a long time, but please give me your second film soon. Today, I am happy that I have completed my second project with him.”
Ravanan was a bilingual project ( Ravana in Hindi), and Vikram achieved a remarkable feat of playing two diametrically opposite characters in the Hindi and Tamil versions of the film. While he was the honest and fierce cop Dev RavanaThe versatile artist was terrific as the ruthless dacoit Veera in the Tamil version. It is the character arc of the latter which resembles that of the prince Aditya Karikalan of the Chola dynasty. Ponniyin Selvan movies ,
Vikram didn’t dismiss the comparison. “Aditya Karikalan is a great warrior. He is fearless. He throws away his crown and princely life, and goes to war. He wants to forget his love, but in the end he becomes so vulnerable and ready to do anything for her. it’s almost the same feeling i painted Ravanan, All said and done, people will love how Mani sir has tied up my character Ponniyin Selvan 2,
Vikram and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan as Queen Nandini and Prince Aditya Karikalan. , Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
The trailer of the film ends with Queen Nandini (Aishwarya Rai Bachchan) coming face to face with her estranged lover Karikalan. The epic face-off of the two and Nandini’s plot to kill Karikalan are the big highlights of the film. “It was a difficult romance as there were many layers to it. The romance will unfold some nice surprises in Part 2,” he added.
Vikram is known to push his comfort level to undertake multiple roles involving body transformation and makeovers. He’s still at it, as seen in the teaser of Paa Ranjith Tanglan, This is a career that has never followed a template but has stumbled many times for its brave choices. Does he ever feel like backing away from ambitious but physically exhausting projects? “I don’t think so,” he quickly replies.
“There is so much to explore in cinema. when i did Pithamagan, My character shocked me. I never thought anyone could create such a character. It lit a fire in me. I always wanted to do a historical film. I always dreamed of playing a character like Aditya Karikalan, Vandiyathevan, or even Karna. now i’m doing Tanglan, and it’s something I’ve never been involved in. The brains of filmmakers are very fertile and developed. Every filmmaker I meet has a fresh idea. So I don’t think I will stop being obsessed with cinema.
Ponniyin Selvan 2 will hit the theaters on April 28