RAJMAHAL 2 / ARANMANAI 2 (2016)

Summary:

Aranmanai 2, released in Hindi as Rajmahal 2, is a Tamil horror-comedy film that continues the successful franchise initiated by its predecessor. The story revolves around an ancestral palace, the 'Aranmanai,' which becomes the setting for a series of terrifying and comedic supernatural occurrences. When a prominent family member falls into a mysterious coma after an accident at the palace, the younger generation, including brothers Murali and Ravi, along with their wives, gather to uncover the truth behind the haunting. What begins as a quest to understand the strange events soon unravels a tragic tale of betrayal, injustice, and a vengeful spirit seeking retribution against those who wronged her in the past.

The film expertly blends elements of horror, suspense, and slapstick comedy, a signature style of director Sundar C. As the family grapples with a malevolent entity, they enlist the help of a powerful priestess to cleanse the palace and bring peace to the tormented soul. The narrative delves into a dark family secret, revealing how past sins have manifested as a supernatural threat in the present, forcing the characters to confront their history and make amends. The movie delivers a thrilling experience with its jump scares, comedic relief, and a poignant resolution to the spirit's plight.

Keywords: Rajmahal 2, Aranmanai 2, 2016, Siddharth, Trisha Krishnan, Hansika Motwani, Sundar C, Horror-Comedy, Haunted Palace.

Plot:

The story of Rajmahal 2 (Aranmanai 2) opens with Murali (Siddharth) and his wife Anitha (Hansika Motwani) visiting his ancestral home, a sprawling and ancient palace known as the 'Aranmanai' (meaning palace in Tamil), for a family deity festival. They are joined by Murali's elder brother, Ravi (Sundar C), and his wife Maya (Trisha Krishnan), along with other family members and servants. The palace, though grand, carries an eerie atmosphere, and it's not long before strange occurrences begin to plague its inhabitants. Doors slam shut, lights flicker, objects move on their own, and unsettling noises echo through the corridors, creating an immediate sense of dread among the family members.

The supernatural activity escalates dramatically when Murali and Ravi's father, who is the patriarch of the family, suffers a mysterious accident at the palace, falling down a flight of stairs and slipping into a coma. The doctors attribute it to a normal fall, but the family suspects something more sinister is at play. This incident forces the entire family to remain in the palace, despite their growing fear. Initially, they try to dismiss the events as coincidences or tricks of the mind, but the manifestations become too frequent and powerful to ignore. An old doll belonging to Murali's cousin, Selvi, who tragically died years ago, frequently appears in different locations, adding to the mystery.

The spirit's presence becomes more assertive, directly targeting Anitha and Maya. Anitha, being more sensitive to paranormal activities, experiences the brunt of the haunting. She sees apparitions, feels cold spots, and is often subjected to frightening visions. Maya, initially a skeptic, also starts witnessing inexplicable events, leading to increasing tension and fear within the household. The comedic relief is provided by characters like Palani (Soori), a local servant, and Komalam (Kovai Sarala), a relative, who often find themselves in hilarious, albeit terrifying, situations due to their encounters with the ghost.

Realizing that they are dealing with a powerful supernatural entity, the family first consults a local priest, who attempts an exorcism. However, the spirit proves too strong and violent, easily overpowering the priest and causing more chaos. This failure convinces the family that they are dealing with a vengeful ghost with a deep-seated motive. Ravi, being the more practical and grounded of the brothers, decides to investigate the history of the palace and their family, hoping to uncover the identity of the spirit and its reasons for haunting them.

Through their investigations, and with the help of a powerful priestess (Kushboo Sundar in a cameo) who is eventually called in, the truth begins to unravel. The spirit is revealed to be Selvi (Poonam Bajwa), Murali and Ravi's cousin, who died under mysterious circumstances years ago. A series of flashbacks reveal Selvi's tragic past: she was deeply in love with a local boy, and they had a secret affair, which resulted in her becoming pregnant. When her pregnancy was discovered, her conservative and ruthless father (Murali and Ravi's uncle) vehemently opposed the relationship, fearing dishonor to the family name. He brutally murdered Selvi's lover and then, in a fit of rage and shame, killed Selvi herself, staging her death as an accident or suicide. The family, including Murali and Ravi's father, were aware of the injustice but chose to remain silent to protect the family's reputation, thus becoming complicit in the tragedy.

Selvi's spirit, consumed by sorrow and a burning desire for justice, has returned to exact revenge on those who wronged her and those who stood by silently. Her primary target is her father, who is still alive and residing in the palace. The coma of Murali and Ravi's father was a warning, a manifestation of her anger against his inaction. The ghost also seeks to punish the other family members for their complicity and for allowing her murderer to live freely. The climax builds as the priestess prepares for a final, powerful ritual to either appease or exorcise Selvi's spirit. During the ritual, Selvi possesses Anitha, using her as a vessel to confront her father and reveal the full extent of his heinous crimes to the entire family.

In a dramatic confrontation, Selvi, through Anitha's possessed body, recounts her suffering and exposes her father's cruelty. The truth shakes the family to its core, forcing them to confront the dark secrets they had buried for years. Selvi's father, overwhelmed by guilt and fear, confesses his crimes. With the truth finally out and justice seemingly served, Selvi's spirit finds a moment of peace. The priestess, having understood the spirit's pain and motive, performs a ritual not of exorcism, but of appeasement, helping Selvi's soul to cross over. The film concludes with Selvi's spirit finding peace and leaving the palace, which is finally cleansed of its haunting. The family, though scarred by the revelations, is reunited, having learned a harsh lesson about justice, truth, and the consequences of silence.

Cast (Lead Roles):

• Siddharth as Murali
• Trisha Krishnan as Maya
• Hansika Motwani as Anitha
• Sundar C as Ravi
• Poonam Bajwa as Selvi (the ghost)
• Soori as Palani
• Kovai Sarala as Komalam
• Radha Ravi as Maya's father
• Manobala as Doctor
• Kushboo Sundar as The Priestess (Special Appearance)

Crew:

• Director: Sundar C
• Producers: Kushboo Sundar, Hitesh Jhabak
• Music Director: Hiphop Tamizha
• Cinematography: U.K. Senthil Kumar
• Editor: N.B. Srikanth
• Writer: Sundar C, Venkat Ragavan

Release Info:

• Original Release Date: January 29, 2016
• Language: Tamil (Original), dubbed in Hindi as Rajmahal 2
• Genre: Horror-Comedy
• Running Time: 136 minutes
• Accolades: Popular horror-comedy; no major awards won.