Jailer 2 Early Reviews Split Over Rajinikanth’s Star Power and Screenplay

Jailer 2 movie review

Early reactions to Rajinikanth’s Jailer 2 have split between admiration for its star-led theatrical moments and criticism of its screenplay, pacing and climax. The film released in theatres amid fan frenzy, with early attention also focused on its cameos and Anirudh Ravichander’s music.

The sequel brings back Rajinikanth as Muthuvel Pandian and continues the story of the character introduced in the first Jailer. It has been directed by Nelson Dilipkumar and backed by Kalanithi Maran under Sun Pictures. The cast includes Ramya Krishnan, SJ Suryah, Mohanlal, Vidya Balan, Suraj Venjaramoodu and Mithun Chakraborty, among others.

Early reviews remain divided

The screenplay has emerged as one of the main points of debate among early viewers. Some reactions have appreciated the film’s familiar storytelling style, while others have described the sequel as predictable and questioned whether it brings enough new ideas.

That contrast reflects the challenge of making a follow-up to a successful film. Returning to a recognizable formula can satisfy viewers who want more of the original experience, but it can also leave others looking for greater narrative surprises.

The available reactions do not point to a uniform response. Instead, they show a film whose appeal may depend substantially on what viewers expect from a Rajinikanth-led sequel.

Viewers familiar with the first film may approach Jailer 2 with different preferences, particularly over its action, comedy, cameos and narrative structure. Those elements have helped shape the early discussion around the sequel.

Rajinikanth remains the film’s central attraction

Even viewers discussing the film’s weaknesses have continued to focus on Rajinikanth’s screen presence. Positive reactions have highlighted the elevation scenes designed around the superstar. For fans, those moments remain an important part of the theatrical experience.

The divided response suggests that the film’s star power may appeal strongly to some viewers even while the screenplay and pacing remain points of debate. The early conversation therefore places Rajinikanth’s presence at the centre of the film’s appeal, while leaving questions about the writing and structure unresolved.

The first Jailer released on August 10, 2023, and followed Muthuvel Pandian as he was drawn back into a world of violence when his family came under threat. The return of that character has contributed to anticipation for the sequel. Rajinikanth’s return, the continuation of Muthuvel Pandian’s story and the addition of prominent performers have all raised expectations around the film.

Those expectations may also explain the sharp contrast between the early responses. For audiences who wanted another film built around the familiar strengths of the first instalment, the sequel’s recognizable approach may work as intended. For others, the same approach may reinforce the criticism that the screenplay is predictable.

Cameos become a major talking point

Cameo appearances have emerged as one of the key points of discussion among early viewers. Some reactions suggest that the appearances add to the film’s appeal, while others feel that they do not have the impact of the cameos in the first instalment.

Mohanlal, Jackie Shroff and Vijay Sethupathi had already been revealed as part of the cameo discussion surrounding the film. Hrithik Roshan’s appearance, however, came as a surprise to viewers.

The cameo marks Hrithik Roshan and Rajinikanth’s second collaboration. Their earlier association came through Bhagwan Dada (1986), in which Hrithik performed as a child artiste in Rajinikanth’s Hindi film.

Hrithik Roshan appeared as a grown-up in Jailer 2 after 40 years, according to the report. The appearance quickly became a focus of online fan reaction.

One fan wrote, “Hrithik Roshan copying Chulbul Pandey's style of hanging his sunglasses on the back of his collar.” Another fan posted, “First glimpse of Hrithik in Jailer 2. #HrithikRoshan” #Jailer2.

Another reaction read, “THEATRE HI PHAT GAYA! Ek taraf #Rajinikanth sir ka signature glass flip aur slow-walk, doosri taraf #HrithikRoshan ka raw swag aur entry par Anirudh ka goosebumps-inducing BGM! Screen par aag lag chuki hai bhai! Pure goosebumps stuff!”

A further fan reaction described the pairing as, “Rajinikanth - Hrithik Roshan - WHAT A MASSIVE COMBO! Imagine Hrithik's swag and Thalaivar's aura in #Jailer2!” These reactions underline the attention generated by the cameo, although they represent individual online responses rather than a broader assessment of the full film.

The Hrithik-Rajinikanth connection

The cameo also carries a personal history connected to Hrithik Roshan’s childhood. During a promotion for Kaabil in 2017, Hrithik spoke about his time with Rajinikanth and recalled the kindness shown to him when he was a child.

Hrithik said that Rajinikanth would take the blame for mistakes between shots so that the young actor’s confidence remained intact. Speaking with Samachar Plus, Hrithik said, “Talking about Rajini sir, I don't even know what to say, I'm speechless.”

He recalled, “When I was young, during the time of Bhagwan Dada, I used to consider Rajini sir as a friend, I used to say whatever I wanted to say to him. He was so gracious back then because he knew I was just a child. I think he forgave a lot of things I must have done and said at that time.”

Hrithik also described what happened when he made a mistake in a dialogue during the filming of Bhagwan Dada. He said that when the director, his grandfather J Om Prakash, stopped a shot because of the mistake, Rajinikanth would say, “Sorry sorry, I made a mistake sorry”.

Hrithik explained, “He would take my mistake upon himself, he used to make me feel, that 'You're okay. It's not your fault, I made a mistake.' So I remember that now with so much love in my heart.”

He added, “And I think that's why he is who he is because making a child feel comfortable like this and to not break his confidence, was the sweetest thing.” Hrithik also said that Rajinikanth sent him a message for Kaabil that he had saved and believed he would read “many many times in my life.”

During the filming of Bhagwaan Dada, Hrithik Roshan was 12 years old, while Rajinikanth was already a celebrated superstar. The 1986 film was directed and produced by Hrithik’s grandfather, J Om Prakash. It also featured Rakesh Roshan, Sridevi, Tina Munim, Paresh Rawal and Danny Denzongpa in key roles.

Music and the final stretch

Anirudh Ravichander’s music has received praise in the early reactions. His background music was specifically celebrated in the fan response to the Rajinikanth-Hrithik Roshan combination.

The film’s cinematography includes the work of Vijay Kartik Kannan, while R. Nirmal handled the editing. The music, cameos and Rajinikanth’s elevation scenes have therefore become important parts of the early conversation around the film.

At the same time, the climax has drawn criticism from some early viewers. The available posts do not provide detailed explanations for that dissatisfaction, but the response to the ending has contributed to the film’s mixed initial reception.

The reaction indicates that the final stretch may be a deciding factor for audiences. More reviews and broader audience feedback will be needed to establish whether the criticism represents a wider concern.

For now, Jailer 2 is being discussed as a sequel that delivers the star-driven moments many fans expected while facing questions over how much it expands the story beyond the first film. Its reception is being shaped by the pull of Rajinikanth’s screen presence, the curiosity around its cameos, Anirudh Ravichander’s music and the continuing debate over the screenplay, pacing and climax.