Ponniyin Selvan 2 star Trisha wanted to play Nandini, but Mani Ratnam said 'no' for THIS reason

One of the highlights of Mani Ratnam's adaptation of Kalki's eponymous novel is the cat-fight between Ilaiya Piratti (Kundavai) and the Queen of Pazhuvur (Nandini). Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Trisha share a warm relationship offscreen and time and again, they have expressed their adulation for each other. However, their face-offs onscreen had become a huge talking point among fans of the novel and film.

Also Read: Ponniyin Selvan 2 review: Vikram, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan steal the show in Mani Ratnam's epic 

Now, the latest we hear is that Trisha wanted to play Nandini and that she had even expressed her wish to the film's director Mani Ratnam. However, he said no to her. During the promotions of the film to a TV channel, Trisha said, "I love Nandini personally as well and would have loved to play her. In fact, I told Mani Ratnam sir about it the day I went to his office, but he said 'no'. He said, 'That's the first thing we have signed already. It's done and only Ash can do that'. And I totally agree with him."

Trisha plays the Chola princess Kundavai, the younger sister of Aditha Karikalan (Vikram) and the elder sister of Arulmozhi Varman (Jayam Ravi). She was known for her beauty and intelligence, and her interest in the matters of the kingdom, art, music and literature as well. While Nandini disliked Kundavai for being a powerful princess, Kundavai, too, despised Nandini for her captivating beauty.

Also Read: Ponniyin Selvan 2: Here's why you cannot afford to miss this Mani Ratnam magnum opus in theatres Nandini, the prime antagonist of the story, wants to avenge the death of the Pandiya king Veerapandiyan and wants to topple the Chola throne. Later, Periya Pazhuvettarayar (Sarathkumar) reveals that she is the daughter of Veerapandian and that Madhurantakan (Rahman) is her twin brother.

The second part of the film will begin from the climax of the first part where Arulmozhi Varman (Jayam Ravi) is saved by the mute queen, Oomai Rani aka Mandakini. Ponniyin Selvan 2 has been released worldwide to packed theatres today.