In Ponniyin Selvan, vengeance has a beautiful face and name: Nandini, brought to life by Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. In the first part, she exudes charm with her mystic eyes and wields her beauty as a power to deceive her foes. But the sequel unearths what lies behind the cunning plans: a hurtful past and untold sufferings.
The PS films clearly demarcate Nandini’s mesmerising charm on the outside and the flaming rage inside her. Her ever-alluring eyes that mask her hidden wrath — enticing everyone from Aditha Karikalan to Vanthiyathevan in a magical spell — sometimes go wide in shock (when Veerapandiyan is murdered) or lose the charm for chaotic thoughts (when she meets Karikalan). But what makes her devious acts scarier is her calmness. PS, in a sense, then becomes a study of Nandini, who is always clear-headed but has her share of vulnerable moments. This makes her one of the rare female antagonists in Kollywood whose layered personality is crafted with such care that it renders us empathetic towards her even when we are against her deeds.
As we witness one of the most powerful female villains in Tamil cinema slide back into action in Ponniyin Selvan 2, let’s look at a few other prominent women antagonists. They might not have brandished swords or conspired the obliteration of a regal dynasty but some of them are minacious in their own ways.