(This article is authored by Alar)

The spectacular trailer and audio launch of the highly anticipated Ponniyin Selvan: Part 2, the epic historical drama directed by the legendary Mani Ratnam, took place on March 29 at the Nehru Indoor Stadium in Chennai. The event was graced by none other than the legendary Ulaganagayagan Kamal Haasan, who added his touch of glamour as the chief guest. With the charismatic star cast in attendance, the trailer was unveiled amidst much fanfare, setting the stage for what promises to be an unforgettable cinematic experience.

Kamal Haasan, who has worked with Mani Ratnam in  Nayagan , shared his views on Ponniyin Selvan 2 and revealed how he too wanted to be a part of the film. The stadium went to roaring cheers with excitement as Kamal Haasan took the stage. The veteran actor, producer and director,  shared his views on the movie and even revealed his desire to be a part of the film. Although he couldn't act in it, he gave his powerful voice to the project. Kamal Haasan's speech was nothing but a fitting tribute to the great team behind Ponniyin Selvan 2.

"I'm a big fan of Tamil cinema, and it's the people of Tamil Nadu who have given me a platform for many years. I know Simbu can relate because he's been acting since he was a child! creating a good movie is not merely a business endeavor, but rather a duty. I've lost out on great films like Ponniyin Selvan in the past, but I was grateful to lend my voice to this masterpiece," he said.

Kamal also expressed his deep admiration for the legendary director Mani Ratnam and music maestro AR Rahman, who composed the music for the film. "I'm one of those who feel jealous when I see Mani Ratnam. He has done a great service to the Tamil film industry by making this epic adaptation. We all knew it was going to be something special. I recently got a chance to hear AR Rahman's orchestra in Dubai, and it was nothing short of magic! In today's digital age, it's rare to see such a magnificent orchestra. I was left speechless and overwhelmed. We should all celebrate the opportunities we get. This is not a time for envy," he added.

He went on to emphasize the importance of love and bravery in Tamil culture, and only then came the  true devotion and fame. Love and bravery are at the heart of Tamil culture, and we must embrace and accept them.  He also praised the bravery of the producer, Subhaskaran, for investing in this grand project.

He acknowledged that it takes immense courage to put money on a historical drama like Ponniyin Selvan 2, especially when it is being directed by the iconic Mani Ratnam. "If any small mistake was made, the whole project could have been a mess, but they both delivered a masterpiece. This is not just a golden era for the Chola dynasty but for all of Tamil Nadu," he said.

Finally, Kamal wished the movie double the success of its predecessor. The film, which is based on the Tamil literary novel by Kalki Krishnamurthy, features an ensemble cast of Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Karthi, Chiyaan Vikram, Trisha and Jayam Ravi in lead roles, with Prakash Raj, Prabhu, Aishwarya Lekshmi, Sobhita Dhulipala, Jayaram, Ashwin Kakumanu, Mohan Raman, Sarathkumar and Parthiban as supporting cast members.

The first part of the film, which released in 2022, was a huge commercial success and ended on a cliffhanger. Now the second part is slated to release on April 28 in five languages - Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada and Hindi. The trailer of Ponniyin Selvan 2 showcased the stunning visuals by cinematographer Ravi Varman and the gripping editing by Sreekar Prasad. The film promises to be a grand spectacle of action, romance, drama and history. Madras Talkies and Lyca Productions jointly produced the magnum opus.