PremiumVikram on his chemistry with Aishwarya Rai in PS 2: Working with her was phenomenal; I loved it
The actor got candid during the Mumbai promotions of Mani Ratnam’s Ponniyin Selvan 2
Last Updated: 08.53 PM, Apr 25, 2023
The cast and crew of Mani Ratnam’s Ponniyin Selvan 2 (PS2), which includes Vikram, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Karthi, Sobhita Dhulipala, Jayam Ravi, and Aishwarya Lekshmi, are in Mumbai for the promotions of the film that is set to release in theatres on April 28.
Speaking to the press at a promotional event, Vikram got candid about the "unrequited love" between his character Aditya Karikalan and Nandini, who is played by Aishwarya Rai.
"I love the unrequited love between Nandini and Aditya Karikalan. It's a very different kind of love. I've romanced a lot of people in several movies, and it's always been either one-sided or mutual love. But in this film, for the first time, there's one person who loves him so much that he can kill, and there's this other person who loves her so much that he can die for her," said Vikram.
Praising Mani Ratnam’s handling of the story, he went on to add, "What happens next? Does he die because of her, or does he live? You don't know. That is a very beautiful thought. And in the book too, it (the love story) is not finished; it’s left for us to conjure up some image in our minds. Mani sir has wrapped it up beautifully, and I just love it."
Echoing her co-star’s sentiments, Aishwarya said, "Who better than Mani Garu to bring that kind of dynamic to celluloid? He is the king of bringing romance into the most tense moments in a manner that is unique to his storytelling. With his magic, pain becomes beautiful. You see intensity and the ultimate romance in moments that, when written on paper, do not read like that but are definitely experienced like that."
Vikram even spoke about working with Aishwarya again, calling his chemistry with her "phenomenal". "Working with her was phenomenal. I loved it; it was nice to share screen space with her once again, and our chemistry is great," he said.
Aishwarya will be seen reprising a dual role as queen Nandini and mother Mandakini Devi in Ponniyin Selvan 2. The film takes on where PS 1 ended and will follow Arulmozhi Varman's journey to becoming the Chola empire's greatest ruler, Rajaraja Chola I.
PS 2 is expected to focus on the flashback story of Vikram's character and throw light on the bond that develops between Ponniyin Selvan and Oomai Rani.
Directed by Mani Ratnam, Ponniyin Selvan 2 (PS 2) stars Vikram, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Karthi, Sobhita Dhulipala, Jayam Ravi, and Aishwarya Lekshmi.
It will release in theatres on April 28.