Aishwarya Rai as Nandini:
When we are introduced to Nandini, she is the wife of Periya Pazhuvettarayar, the financier and chancellor of the Chola empire. However, no one knows about her origin. Once upon a time, a teenage Nandini was in love with Aditya Karikalan. One fine day, she just vanishes, and returns as the wife of Periya Pazhu enraging Karikalan. It is hinted that Nandini belongs to the Pandiyan kingdom in the first part, and she works with a bunch of Pandian assassins to bring down the Chola empire from within.
Trisha as Kundhavai:
The only daughter of Sundara Cholar, Kundhavai aka Ilaiyapiratti Kundavai Nachiyar more or less remains the ruler of the kingdom as her father is ill. From childhood, she doesn’t like Nandini and throughout the story, the two are in a cold war which each other. Arulmozhi Varman obeys his elder sister Kundhavai, and she is one of the reasons for his return to Chola Desam from Lanka. She is wise and acts as a guiding force for her brothers. The princess of Cholas is also in love with Vanarkula Thilagam Vallavarayan Vandhiyathevan.
Aishwarya Rai as Oomai Rani:
Oomai Rani is the one character that left us with a cliffhanger in Ponniyin Selvan-1 and we soon come to know that she saves Arunmozhi Varman in Lanka and she is the mother of both Nandhini and Madurantakan, (both try to over throw the Chola dynasty) Oomai Rani is also the aunt of Poonguzhali.
Aishwarya Lekshmi as Poonguzhali:
An ordinary boat girl. She is independent. She comes and goes whenever she wants and wherever she wants. She is not answerable to anyone, not even to her parents. No one bothers her about propriety of taking men in her boat or pesters her with questions about when she would get married. She speaks to people whom she likes, shows attitude to those whom she doesn’t and may God protect those whom she hates. She makes good her promise to those who wrong her. She is seen as one of the charcters who aides Arunmozhi Varman in his quests to escape the assassins against him.
Sobhita Dhulipala as Vaanathi:
The shy but playful princess of Kodumbalur. She was raised by her uncle Periya Velar Boothi Vikramakesari because both her father, Siriya Velar and mother are killed. She was sent to Pazhayarai to be one of Kundavai Devi’s many friends/ helpers. She tends to faint in stressful situations due to which Ilaya Piratti takes special care of her, making the other princesses envious. She receives a prophecy from Kudanthai Jothidar stating she will bear an extraordinary warrior son who will conquer all 7 seas. She has an immense devotion for Ponniyin Selvan and wishes to marry him.
Ponniyin Selvan-2 is an adaptation of Kalki’s novel titled ‘Ponniyin Selvan’, a five part novel that is being adapted into a 2 part movie. It releases in theaters this Friday.
