Leading actor Karthi's first big release of 2023 is the highly-anticipated Ponniyin Selvan: 2 directed by Mani Ratnam. Produced by Lyca Productions in association with Madras Talkies and featuring music composed by Academy Award winner A. R. Rahman, the upcoming film is the sequel to the 2022 global blockbuster, Ponniyin Selvan: 1, and is set to open in cinemas worldwide on April 28. Karthi, who portrays Vanthiyathevan alongside 'Chiyaan' Vikram, Jayam Ravi, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Trisha, and a huge ensemble supporting cast, took part in the Ponniyin Selvan: 2 anthem launch event at Anna University, Chennai, on Saturday, to interact with students, while also opening up on his shooting experiences.
During his speech, Karthi went on to share his wisdom on what it takes for one to become Vanthiyathevan from Ponniyin Selvan. He said, "If it's in a student's fate that he has to study engineering, he must either go to the IIT or join Anna University. I too am an engineer. Whether I wished to become an engineer, my parents wanted me to join Anna University, but I didn't get a seat. Instead, all I could d was run around in the grounds during the shooting of Aayirathil Oruvan. Anna (Suriya) once said (about Vanthiyathevan) on a stage that, 'what we yearn for the most, we will get it.' I studied in a boys school, pursued mechanical engineering, and there wasn't even a lady professor during my college days. At a time when I used to yearn whether I could ever fall in love, Vanthiyathevan is that character. He's flirted with Miss World (Aishwarya Rai Bachchan), Miss Chennai (Trisha), and also a poor girl who was minding her job fishing (Aishwarya Lekshmi)."
Watch Karthi's super fun speech at the Ponniyin Selvan: 2 anthem launch event at Anna University below: