The theater in Times Square was buzzing with excitement for the premiere of "Jailer," a riveting Indian action-comedy featuring Rajinikanth, the Tamil film industry's evergreen superstar. At 72, Rajinikanth proves he still has the mojo, and the audience couldn't get enough of him.
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In "Jailer," Rajinikanth plays Muthu "Tiger" Pandian, a retired police officer and prison warden. His character is not just a grandfather with sass, but also a ruthless vigilante. With his signature combat style involving decapitations and lethal stabbings, Muthu is aided by a slew of experienced Indian actors who play his shadowy old friends.
The film pits Muthu against Varman, portrayed by Vinayakan, a frenzied criminal kingpin who kidnaps Muthu's son and threatens his grandson. The movie is as much about family as it is about settling scores. While enjoying ice cream with his aspiring YouTuber grandson Rithvik, Muthu gets pulled back into his old, violent ways to save his family. The tagline could be: "He doesn't just talk, he slashes."
Although the movie is tailor-made for Rajinikanth, it diverges slightly from his usual formulaic roles. It strikes a balance between intense emotions and lighthearted moments. It transitions effortlessly from a YouTube gardening show featuring Muthu and Rithvik, to a gruesome fight against Varman. A musical interlude that follows a significant plot revelation adds a layer of complexity. It presents a tender relationship between the tough Muthu and his grandson.
The film isn't shy about showing off its grit. Scenes involving Arjun, Muthu’s son, and Varman's gang emphasize the ruthless world they live in. Rajinikanth's character gets a pass to be as fierce as Varman, echoing the sentiment, "He will make your next generation dance to his tunes."
One might even call Rajinikanth's persistence inspiring. Unlike Hollywood stars of a similar age, like Sylvester Stallone or Steven Seagal, Rajinikanth still captivates young, cutting-edge filmmakers eager to make him look forever legendary. Every grand entry he makes on screen is a spectacle, eliciting cheers and applause from the audience.
The director, Nelson Dilipkumar, brings a unique mix of tones and styles, not always seamlessly, but always interestingly. For context, his previous film, "Beast," was also a whirlwind of action. It features a younger star pitted against a mall full of terrorists. "Jailer" adds another layer, as it's about an aging hero grappling with his legacy.
During a pivotal moment, Muthu remarks that he can now be his true self, setting the stage for more action sequences. The film then takes a surprising turn with a subplot featuring marital infidelity and celebrity cameos. Despite these twists and distractions, it’s Rajinikanth’s compelling performance that holds the film together.
Age has hardly dimmed Rajinikanth's star power. In fact, there's something touching about the actor still delivering energetic performances in films like "Jailer." A conversation overheard outside the theater encapsulated the sentiment: a younger man asking an older one his thoughts on the movie. Although the response was inaudible, a chuckle and a nod indicated that Rajinikanth’s allure is everlasting.
