Released in 2022 and 2023, Mani Ratnam’s Magnum opus PS-1 and PS-2 were two of the biggest and highest-grossing films in the Tamil film industry. With a massive cast including Jayam Ravi, Vikram, and Trisha Krishnan the film also featured Bollywood diva Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. However, in a recent interview director Mani Ratnam made a shocking revelation stating that Aishwarya Rai wasn’t his first choice for the role of Nandini in the film but Rekha.
Mani Ratnam Wanted To Cast Rekha As Nandini In PS-1
In a recent interview with Bollywood Bubble, South director Mani Ratnam made some very interesting revelations about his film Ponniyin Selvan’s cast. The director revealed that before Aishwarya Rai Bachchan he had Rekha in his mind for the role of “Nandini”.
Calling Rekha the “automatic choice”, the filmmaker said that the Bollywood veteran actress fitted the role. Mani Ratnam added, “Sometimes you just feel that kind of a person. I know somebody who’s deep, who is beautiful, and who can carry both sides of it. She (Rekha) can portray both sides very well.”.
For the unversed, Bollywood actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan played the role of Nandini and her mute mother Mandakini Devi in Ponniyin Selvan-1 and 2. The actress was highly praised for her look and performance in the film.
About Ponniyin Selvan
Mani Ratnam’s magnum-opus “Ponniyin Selvan 2” was released in theatres on April 28. The second part was the sequel to the 2022 release and continued the saga of the Chola dynasty. The film has an ensemble cast of Chiyaan Vikram, Jayam Ravi, Karthi, Aishwarya Rai, Trisha Krishnan, Sobhita Dhulipala, and Aishwarya Lekshmi among others.
The film is an adaptation of the novel Ponniyin Selvan. Mani Ratnam has always called it his ‘dream project’. The film was produced by Lyca Productions and became one of the highest grossers of 2022-2023.
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