Jailer 2 - The Kalpak Conundrum

Jailer 2 

2026, Tamil

Genre: Action Thriller 

Director: Nelson Dilipkumar

Stars: Rajinikanth, S. J. Suryah, Mithun Chakraborty, Suraj Venjaramoodu, Ramya Krishnan, Vidya Balan, Hrithik Roshan

Mohan's Measure ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 

Jailer 2 is not a movie, it's a phenomenon. Perhaps not so much so in mellow Hyderabad, where I am writing from, but in Tamil Nadu, where Rajnikanth is patron deity, it is a fever, a maddening obsession that like this movie, has no rational explanation. 

To begin to speak of acting, plot, or cinematography would be moot. Jailer 2 is a mixed bag, a series of brutal action sequences and trite humor that create a semblance of a plot. But, one man, only this man, Thalaivar, can single handedly, with a flick of a cigar, turn nonsense into sensation.

The film feels like it is two distinct parts. The first half provides room for Nelson's macabre humor, which to me, slows things down. It is in the second half where Thalaivar comes to the fore, like a lion waving it's mane. It in this second half where Ms. Balan and Mr. Suryah become characters rather than cameos, playing filthy rich siblings with nefarious eays. And so, let the violent game begin.

There is action, there is bullfight levels of blood shed, and there is an overtone of grief and guilt, when a man finally comes face to face with his having killed his own son. Conversations about what men can and will do to protect their own is augmented when Narasimha's wife and child are kidnapped. This provides time for Shivarajkumar to stay a little longer on the screen, if only to meet popular demand.

But, despite a cavalcade of big name stars popping in and out, we.cannot overstate the fact this movie is for, about, and carried by the Inimitable Rajnikanth, who at 75, proves that age is nothing before swag. 

I find myself perplexed as to how to rate and conclude this film. My simple suggestion to all is to put away your brain and enjoy the ride.