The "Jailer" premiere in Times Square last night was a boisterous event, with a packed house erupting in applause for the renowned Indian star Rajinikanth. Even though Rajinikanth, often known as the "Super Star," is now in his seventies, his charisma and fan base are still strong.
Rajinikanth portrays Muthu "Tiger" Pandian in the film "Jailer," a former police officer who now oversees a prison and has a reputation for brutally eliminating bad guys. His specialties include beheadings and lethal stabbings, and he has a network of shady old buddies who help him take out anyone who threaten his family.
Varman, a psychotic criminal lord played by Vinayakan, kidnaps Muthu's adult son Arjun, a police officer, and threatens to hurt Arjun's grandson Rithvik, a budding YouTube celebrity, in the movie's main conflict. Muthu answers to Varman's goons with vicious violence, saying, "After a point I don't talk, I slash." You're sure to be unsatisfied if you go to see "Jailer" for anyone other than Rajinikanth.
To view the film, click its title.
Jailer
(Language: Tamil, Hindi, Malayalam & Telugu Kannada
Captions CC: English)
"Jailer" is both typical and atypical for a Rajinikanth film. It displays a self-awareness and commitment to navigating the tonal shifts inherent in Indian cinema's mass-appeal masala style.
Amidst this chaos, there's a musical montage that makes sense only after a significant plot twist, showcasing Muthu and Rithvik bonding while an acoustic guitar plays and a singer croons about their unique connection. In contrast, Arjun tortures one of Varman's men, revealing the film's unrelenting intensity. Varman's unflinching violence provides Rajinikanth's character with the license to be equally merciless, resulting in some truly memorable moments.
Rajinikanth stands out among stars like Sylvester Stallone or Steven Seagal because he still attracts young filmmakers who are eager to make him look perpetually iconic. As the film unfolds, it's sometimes unclear whether director Nelson Dilipkumar fully grasps the tonal complexity of his own creation. However, Rajinikanth's performance holds everything together through sheer willpower.
Despite his age, Rajinikanth's energy and charisma are evident, making it both surprising and moving to witness him deliver a performance as robust and exhausting as "Jailer." Outside the theater, I overheard a middle-aged man asking his older companion for their thoughts on "Jailer." Although I couldn't discern the older gentleman's response, his chuckle and slight shake of the head suggested that he was still relishing Rajinikanth's timeless appeal, much like the rest of the audience.
