Aishwarya Lekshmi, the actor who portrayed Poonguzhali in Mani Ratnam’s “Ponniyin Selvan,” expressed her surprise and gratitude for the love and appreciation she has received for her character. The film is a two-part saga based on the popular Tamil novels of the same name, written by Kalki Krishnamurthy in 1955. Lekshmi’s portrayal of the “fierce” boat woman was well received despite her limited screen time.
Lekshmi shared her thoughts with PTI during an interview, saying, “I never expected my character to be appreciated, accepted or loved like this. I expected the movie to do well, I expected everybody’s character (to do well) because all of them are superstars, I expected to bask in their glory. I never expected to be loved like this. I feel the love everywhere I go.”
Although her character was not given a lot of screen time, Lekshmi believed that Poonguzhali was well-formed and had a distinct personality. She was fearless and did all the physical work that was necessary, which made her an integral part of the story.
“Ponniyin Selvan” features a star-studded cast that includes Vikram, Karthi, Jayam Ravi, Trisha, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, and many others. Lekshmi was thrilled to be a part of such an esteemed cast and was not expecting the kind of response she has received.
The film’s production faced several challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the release of the first part was postponed. However, it was finally released in theatres on April 29, 2022. The second part is expected to be released soon.
Lekshmi has been receiving widespread acclaim for her performance in “Ponniyin Selvan,” and her portrayal of Poonguzhali has become a fan favorite. The actor has been taking it all in stride and is grateful for the overwhelming love and support.
