Chennai, Oct 14 (PTI) Anticipation has reached fever pitch in Chennai ahead of the release of superstar Rajinikanth’s action-entertainer ‘Jailer 2’ on Thursday, with fans thronging cinemas to get tickets for the opening shows.
At Rohini Silver Screens, moviegoers queued up well in advance, hoping to land tickets for the early morning special shows, even as housefull boards went up at the booking counters.
Fans hailed the veteran actor’s enduring box-office pull, saying that even at 75 he commands unmatched star power as a leading hero.
“Bookings are completely packed. I came from Pattalam to see if I could get a ticket for the special show. I will definitely watch the first show; we have been watching his films since childhood. The first part was on another level, and Rajinikanth himself promised that part two would be even better,” Ravi, a fan waiting at the theatre, told PTI Videos.
The high-octane sequel to the blockbuster ‘Jailer’ has drawn cinephiles from outside the state who want to experience the First Day First Show (FDFS) atmosphere in Chennai.
Raj Choksi, who travelled from Ahmedabad in Gujarat to watch the film at Rohini Silver Screens, said the superstar’s appeal cuts across the country.
“‘Jailer’ was a mega blockbuster, and Rajini sir is a living legend. I came to Chennai especially from Gujarat to watch his movie. The supporting roles by Mohanlal and Shiva Rajkumar made the first part unforgettable, and fans are eager to see who makes an appearance this time,” Choksi told PTI Videos.
He said he is personally hoping for a cameo by Hrithik Roshan. Unverified reports have hinted at the Bollywood star’s appearance, but producer Kalanithi Maran’s Sun Pictures has kept the actor’s role under wraps.
With the franchise known for its pan-Indian appeal, fans are betting big on its theatrical run. Kutti Chandran, a fan from Chepauk who secured a ticket for the first show, said he was confident the sequel would break box-office records.
“‘Jailer’ was a massive success in the superstar’s career. With ‘Jailer 2’, we expect a record-breaking gross of Rs 1,000 crore. Other actors consider it a matter of pride just to share screen space with him,” he said.
With advance bookings and the hunt for tickets creating a carnival-like mood at theatres across the city, a bumper opening is expected for the action franchise.
When it opened on August 10, 2023, ‘Jailer’ soon turned into one of Tamil cinema’s biggest earners of the year, collecting over Rs 600 crore around the world.
Helmed by Nelson Dilipkumar, the action drama centred on Muthuvel Pandian, nicknamed ‘Tiger’, a former prison officer enjoying a peaceful home life until the kidnapping and presumed killing of his son pulled him back into a violent criminal underworld. The film’s climactic twist, in which a father kills his own son, is still among the most discussed sequences in Kollywood.
More than three years on, Rajinikanth reprises the role in ‘Jailer 2’, set to open in cinemas on October 15.
The follow-up continues from where the original left off, bringing Nelson together again with music composer Anirudh Ravichander and a number of returning actors—Ramya Krishnan, Yogi Babu, Shivarajkumar, Mohanlal and others.
Suraj Venjaramoodu, S J Suryah, Vidya Balan, Vijay Sethupathi and Mithun Chakraborty, among others, join the cast as newcomers. PTI JR SSK
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