Ponniyin Selvan I was recently launched in theatres and is doing well, know who is Oomai Rani in the movie
Over 230 crore have been made by the movie in just its first weekend, with over 100 crore net coming from India alone.
The movie is the first of two parts of Mani Ratnam’s expansive adaptation of Kalki Krishnamurthy’s eponymous novel, as the title suggests. Even though the movie ends on a cliffhanger, part 2 is set up and the truth about a key character is revealed in a brief post-film (or pre-credits) scene.
Who Is Oomai Rani In Ponniyin Selvan Part 1 And Movie Ending Explained
Nandini Mom is Oomai Raani , So double action; waiting for part 2
— ᘻᖇ ᕼᓰᕵᕵSᘿᖻᖻ ᓰS ᕼᖻᕵᘿᕲ ᖴᓍᖇ ᕵS-2 (@thelegendstores) October 2, 2022
Finally, met the Chozhas! The best part in the #PonniyanSelvan1 movie for me was the mysterious Oomai Raani character, I still remember wondering if this woman really existed in that universe or if some superpower/god-like character #Kalki is bringing in while reading the first..
— Vijayaraj (@mister_vj) October 4, 2022
You should start by giving a brief summary of PS1 and the plethora of personalities we got to know there. The movie tells the story of Rajaraja I of the Chola Empire, also known as Arulmozhi Varman and Ponniyin Selvan (literally, Ponni’s beloved). As Jayam Ravi and Vikram’s kids Arulmozhi and Aditya Karikalan (Sundara Chola’s two sons) are gone, the movie opens with Sundara Chola, his father, in poor health. Periya Pazhuvettaraiyar (Parvateshwar in the Hindi version) and his cunning wife Nandini (Aishwarya Rai) are the leaders of the emperor’s courtiers, who are preparing a coup. They intend to appoint Madurantakan (Rahman), the emperor’s cousin, to the throne.
What Is Depicted In The Ponniyin Selvan: I Post-Film Scene?
We are now in the spoiler zone. While in Lanka, Arulmozhi is ambushed by assassins loyal to the deposed Pandya monarch and is only saved by an enigmatic woman with grey hair riding an elephant. She is referred to as Oomai Rani by our protagonist, who also relates that she once saved him as a child when he fell into the Ponni (Kaveri) river. This episode gave rise to his fabled moniker because many thought the Goddess Kaveri herself had spared him. Arulmozhi and Chola warrior Vallavaraiyan (Karthi) battle Pandya adversaries as they perish aboard a sinking ship in the movie’s climactic scene. The news of Ponniyin Selvan’s passing reaches the Chola capital as the movie comes to a close.
But right after the movie’s title card announces the PS2 will launch in 2023. We witness the enigmatic Oomai Rani dive into the water to search for Arulmozhi among the shipwrecks. Aishwarya Rai appears to be getting older as the camera travels to her face. This might have surprised people who haven’t read the novels. The Oomai Rani, however, is actually Mandakini Devi. The deaf-mute queen and Nandini’s mother, as those who have read the books are aware.
Aishwarya Rai plays Mandakini Devi in the Mani Ratnam movie. Which is based on a sketch Maniam created for the serialisation of Kalki’s book.
How Are Mandakini And Arulmozhi Related?
But why is Mandakini so protective of Arulmozhi, and what relationship does she have with him? The backstory detailed in Kalki’s five-volume novels serves as the solution. Anyone who is not ready for that may want to stop reading now as we move on to book spoilers that could ruin Ponniyin Selvan 2.
Before he became king, Mandakini was in love with Sundara Chola, the emperor. But they were unable to wed. In the end, Mandakini did get married and have two children. The Chola courtiers now seek to appoint Madurantakan, who was switched at birth. And is actually the second, as the new emperor. The first is Nandini. Mother-son relationship between Mandakini and Madurantakan is unknown to them. In actuality, Mandakini thinks her kid was a stillborn. She cares for Arulmozhi, the son of her former lover, out of an unfulfilled maternal protective instinct.
For Ponniyin Selvan: II, What Does This Mean?
Mani Ratnam’s movie Ponniyin Selvan has so far remained fairly true to its subject matter. Therefore, it only makes sense if the sequel also follows the storyline outlined in the books. Mandakini will play a bigger part in part 2 and the movie will also explain a lot of her tragic background. Especially her relationship with the main character. Without giving away too much of the plot aside from the ones already mentioned. Part 2 will have more twists and turns than part 1 has so far managed. And Mandakini’s past will play a significant role in it.