Mani Ratnam’s Ponniyin Selvan-II (PS-II) masterfully untangles the knots that had been tied in the first instalment of the epic period drama adapted from Kalki Krishnamurthy’s novel of the same name. Here are eight major revelations in the PS-I sequel that have helped us put all the pieces of the puzzle together.

Warning. Spoilers ahead.

How did Arunmozhi Varman survive?

PS-I ended on a cliffhanger with Chola prince Arunmozhi Varman (Jayam Ravi) and his aide Vallaveraiyan Vanthiyathevan (Karthi) disappearing at sea after their ship was caught in a cyclonic storm. The trailer of PS-II hinted that Arunmozhi is alive, although how he survives the shipwreck was kept under wraps. We find out in the sequel that Mandakini (Aishwarya Rai Bachchan) saves the life of the Chola prince, who is then tended by Buddhist monks at a monastery in Nagapattinam.

Who is Mandakini?

The revelation of the identity of Mandakini, the grey-haired mute woman who rides on elephants, is one of the major plot twists in PS-II. The saviour of Arunmozhi Varman is none other than an old lover of Chola Emperor Sundara Chola (Prakash Raj), who met her years ago in Lanka during a conquest.

How is Nandini related to Mandakini?

Mandakini’s resemblance to Nandini (Aishwarya Rai Bachchan) was indication enough that the two are related. So it does not offer much of a surprise when we find out that Nandini is, in fact, Mandakini’s daughter. Mandakini left her daughter in the care of a priest at the royal temple soon after her birth.

Who is Nandini’s father?

The revelation of Sundara Chola’s short-lived courtship with Mandakini led Princess Kundavai (Trisha Krishnan) to believe the Chola emperor was Nandini's father. However, Pandya leader Ravidas (Kishore Kumar G.) delivered one of the major plot twists regarding Nandini’s past in the climax of PS-II. It eventually turns out that it was Veera Pandiyan (Nassar) who raped Mandakini as a revenge on Sundara Chola and thus sired Nandini.

Who is the little boy who was being hailed as king by Pandya assassins in PS-I?

We saw Pandya assassins taking pledge in their hideout to destroy the Chola clan and hailing a little boy as their king in PS-I. The sequel to Mani Ratnam’s magnum opus reveals that the little boy is none other than Veera Pandiyan’s son and Nandini’s brother. It is also revealed that Veera Pandiyan on his deathbed had requested Nandini to protect him at all costs.

Why did Aditha Karikalan and Nandini hate each other?

Chola prince Aditha Karikalan (Chiyaan Vikram) and Nandini’s relationship is at the core of the plot of PS-II. The period drama begins with flashback scenes showing how a young Aditha fell in love with an orphan girl — Nandini — and wanted to make her his queen. However, the royals were against the idea because of Nandini’s unknown lineage and drove her away from the kingdom in the dead of the night. Veera Pandiyan gave shelter to the young girl and raised her like a daughter. During the Chola conquest against the Pandyas, Aditha raided Pandiyan’s secret hideout and discovered Nandini with him. Engulfed by rage, Aditha turns a deaf ear to Nandini’s pleas of sparing Pandiyan’s life and kills him. The assassination becomes a flashpoint between the former flames.

Does Nandini kill Aditha?

Yes and no. What is possibly the most intense scene of PS-II, Aditha confronts Nandini in the Kadambur palace. The former lovers revisit their relationship and lament about the consequences of their respective decisions in life. It is clear that Nandini still has a soft corner for Aditha and cannot bring herself to commit the act of assassination. Aditha, however, makes it easy for her by placing the dagger Nandini is holding against his chest and pulling her into an embrace. The knife pierces his body, killing the Chola crown prince.

Who gets the Chola throne in the end?

Former Chola king Kandaraditya’s son Madhurantakan (Rahman) conspired with Chola chancellor Periya Pazhuvettaraiyar (R. Sarathkumar) and other courtiers to organise a coup against Sundara Chola. He even joined hands with the Rashtrakutas to march towards Thanjavur. However, when he realises he is being used as a political pawn to destroy the Chola kingdom, he has a change of heart. In the end, Madhurantakan ascends the throne after Sundara Chola as Arunmozhi Varman relinquishes his claim on the throne in favour of his uncle.