New Delhi: Rajinikanth’s Jailer 2 trailer is out, and the internet cannot keep calm, with fans comparing it to the hit series Breaking Bad and its subsequent prequel, Better Call Saul. Fans across social media have noticed several similarities in characters and shots between the US series and the upcoming comedy-action film.
The trailer gives a glimpse of Rajinikanth’s Tiger Muthuvel Pandian alongside an ensemble cast that includes Vidya Balan, Mithun Chakraborty, Jackie Shroff, SJ Suryah and Mohanlal. While some are excited for director Nelson Dilipkumar’s new film, others are horrified by the similarities.
”Please save Breaking Bad from Tamil directors,” wrote one X user.
Fans have pointed out that Dilipkumar’s love for Breaking Bad (2008-2013) appears to continue through his filmography. Fans online even compared Hakkim Shah’s character to Tony Dalton’s Lalo Salamanca in Better Call Saul (2015-2022).
“Nelson Dilipkumar’s love for Breaking Bad never dies, Lalo Salamanca reference,” a user wrote while sharing a shot from Jailer 2 and Breaking Bad.
“Some characters from Jailer 2 revealed a reference to Lalo Salamanca in Breaking Bad. Nelson used it well,” posted one X user.
But the references didn’t stop with Shah. Vidya Balan plays Kantha in the upcoming film, which is also her first collaboration with Rajinikanth. Fans have compared her look in the trailer to Lydia Rodarte-Quayle, the calculating businesswoman, played by Laura Fraser, in Breaking Bad. Whereas Mithun Chakraborty’s still from Jailer 2 has been placed alongside Mark Margolis’ Hector Salamanca.
“Lydia Balan and Mithun Salamanca from Jailer 2 set in Breaking Bad universe,” quipped one user.
“Once a Breaking Bad fan… always a Breaking Bad fan,” wrote another user.
“I saw the Jailer trailer. It’s a weird vibe, a mix of Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul and Narcos,” commented another.
One user shared a collage of stills and references from Breaking Bad, showing similarities between Mithun’s character and Hector Salamanca, a car still compared to a car chase from Breaking Bad, and two frames showing Rajinikanth with visual similarities to Walter White.
“Should find someone who loves me as much as Nelson loves Breaking Bad… man just can’t resist those references,” one user shared.
The most direct comparison has been between Rajinikanth’s Tiger Muthuvel Pandian and Bryan Cranston’s Walter White. Fans have compared shots of Rajinikanth walking through smoke and destruction much like Cranston.
The film is set to release in theatres on 15 October.