Sun Pictures’ Rajini The Jailer 2 (dubbed from the Tamil film Jailer 2; UA) is the sequel to Jailer. After having killed Varman and confiscated three containers with smuggled idols worth Rs. 6,000 crore, ‘Tiger’ Muthuvel Pandian (Rajinikanth) now works in a super market. He lives with his wife, Vijaya (Ramya Krishnan), daughter-in-law, Swetha (Mirnaa), and grandson, Rithvik (Rithvik). To get to the root of the idol smuggling scam, Muthuvel works as a driver with local don Moorthi (Namo Narayana). Soon, Muthuvel realises that the idol smuggling business is carried out by Bodhi Kalpak (S.J. Suryah) who is based out of Goa. Bodhi Kaplak’s father, Chakri Kalpak (Mithun Chakraborty), sister, Kantha (Vidya Balan), and two brothers, Sharva (Hakim Shahjahan) and Ved (Jatin Sarna), live with him (Bodhi). How Muthuvel reaches Bodhi Kalpak and destroys the family forms the crux of the story.
Nelson Dilipkumar has written a story which is engaging. It may not offer much novelty but it keeps the audience engaged and entertained. The screenplay (written by Nelson Dilipkumar) in the first half is very fast-paced and keeps the viewers involved right from the word ‘go’. The light moments are enjoyable. The pace drops after interval, and the twists and turns in the second half aren’t as exciting, but the drama still manages to keep the viewers involved because there is a lot of action. The dialogues are quite nice.
Rajinikanth plays to the gallery and impresses in the role of ‘Tiger’ Muthuvel Pandian. S.J. Suryah is effective as Bodhi Kalpak. Vidya Balan makes a fantastic impression in the role of Kantha Kalpak. Suraj Venjaramoodu is alright as Dileep. Mithun Chakraborty acts ably as Chakri Kalpak; it must be added that he doesn’t get much scope. Ramya Krishnan makes her mark as Muthuvel’s wife, Vijaya. Mirnaa is okay as Muthuvel’s daughter-in-law. Namo Narayana is so-so as Moorthi. Jatin Sarna lends fair support as Ved Kalpak. Hakim Shahjahan is adequate as Sharva Kalpak. Rithvik makes a fair impression as Rithvik Pandian. Yogi Babu is average as Vimal. Bagavathi Perumal does an ordinary job as Bhaskar. Kottayam Nazeer does a routine job as Ameer. Sunil Sukhada passes muster as Benjamin. Sujith Shankar (as Mukund), Ramachandran Durairaj (as Durai), Bjorn Surrao (as Kohli), P.L. Thenappan (as the pregnant woman’s father), Rajesh Sharma (as police inspector Vikram Deshpande), Jaffer Sadiq (as Debnath), Padam Kumar (as Raja Rao), Bani J. and Apeksha Porwal (both as Roddy’s henchwomen), Tamizh (as Kumar), and Saravana Vel (as Moorthi’s hanchman) are all quite good. Shiva Rajkumar has his moments in a cameo appearance as Narasimha. Hrithik Roshan makes a fine impression in a cameo appearance as Roddy. Mohanlal adds star value in a cameo appearance as Matthew. Vijay Sethupathi also adds a lot of star value in a cameo appearance as Kantha’s informer and police officer. Dileep is alright in a cameo appearance as Sri Lankan gangster Varuna. Jackie Shroff is okay in a cameo appearance as Kamdev. In cameo appearances, Vinayakan (as Varman), Vasanth Ravi (as Muthuvel’s son, ACP Arjun Pandian), Nora Fatehi (exceptional in the Bindaas song-dance), Poorna (very good in the Ala bolelo song-dance), and Rajesh Madhavan (as a singer in the Ala bolelo song-dance) are all impactful.
Nelson Dilipkumar’s direction is quite nice. Aniurudh Ravichander’s music is excellent. The Ala bolelo song is already a hit. So is the Bindaas song. Tere naam has tremendous lilt and melody. The other songs are quite nice. Lyrics are in synch with the mood of the film. Song picturisations (by choreographer Jani) are eye-pleasing. Anirudh Ravichander’s background music is superb. Vijay Karthik Kannan’s cinematography is wonderful. Chethan D’Souza’s action and stunt scenes are very thrilling. DRK Kiran’s production designing is of a very good standard. R. Nirmal’s editing is sharp. Dubbing is nice.
On the whole, Rajini The Jailer 2 is a box-office winner because of its mass appeal.
Released on 15-10-’26 at Maratha Mandir (daily 2 shows) and other cinemas of Bombay thru PEN Marudhar Cine Entertainment. Publicity: quite good. Opening: nice. …….Also released all over. Opening was quite good everywhere.
