movie review about jailer

A full house screamed throughout last night’s Times Square premiere of “Jailer,” a grisly and comedic action Indian thriller starring Rajinikanth, the marquee-topping, Tamil-speaking septuagenarian and self-advertised “Super Star.” Or at least, everybody alive in that auditorium seemed to be cheering for Rajinikanth.

Rajinikanth (“Robot,” “Kaala”) is now 72 years old. His “Jailer” character, a retired cop and prison warden named Muthu “ Tiger ” Pandian, has a sassy young grandson and a knack for murdering villains. Beheadings and fatal stabbings are a Muthu specialty. He also has a vast network of shady old friends, played by a deep bench of Indian character actors and fellow leading men, who help Muthu kill the bad men who threaten his family.

In “Jailer,” the bad men are led by Varman (Vinayakan), a manic crime boss who kidnaps Muthu’s adult son Arjun ( Vasanth Ravi ), also a cop, and threatens to behead Arjun’s grandson Rithvik (Rithvik Jothi Raj), an aspiring YouTube star, while Rithvik and Muthu get ice cream. Varman’s men taunt Muthu by doing a grotesque dance of joy in the street. He retaliates by hacking at some of them with a gigantic blade: “After a point I don’t talk, I slash.” If you come to “Jailer” for anything but Rajinikinath, you will probably leave disappointed.

“Jailer” simultaneously is and isn’t a typical Rajinikanth vehicle. It’s more self-conscious and more committed than some of his other recent vehicles, as far as reconciling the tonal whiplash banked into the Indian cinema’s kitchen sink, mass-audience-minded masala style. The makers of “Jailer” toggle between emotional registers with confidence and alarming frequency, like whenever Muthu helps Rithvik film a gardening program for his YouTube channel, and then resumes his bloody feud with Varman. In a musical montage that only makes sense after a long-delayed plot twist, Muthu and Rithvik bask in each other’s company while an acoustic guitar plays and a singer paints a sunny picture of a man who, in Rithvik, also sees “my leader … my son.” Meanwhile, Arjun tortures one of Varman’s men, and also orders a fellow cop to not give water to his blood-soaked victim. The acoustic guitarist never takes a break.

The persistent extremity of Varman’s character-defining violence also gives old man Rajinikanth a mandate to be merciless. It’s sometimes even touching to see him match Varman since, as our antihero’s theme song boasts, “He will make your next generation dance to his tunes.” Rajinikanth is perhaps unusual when compared to, say, a Sylvester Stallone or a Steven Seagal , in that he still attracts the sort of young idolatrous filmmakers who all seem obsessed with making the now biologically mature star look eternally iconic. A friend who saw “Jailer” in Los Angeles last night joked about how many times Rajinikanth enters a new room with dramatic flair. In Times Square, each new slow-motion turn to the camera was met with screams. So were Rajinikanth’s lusty action scenes, especially when he finally notices Varman’s barrels of sulphuric acid.

Sometimes it’s hard to tell if director Nelson Dilipkumar knows what he’s doing, either with his star or this movie’s volatile mix of tones and styles. “Beast,” Dilipkumar’s loopy third-generation “ Die Hard ” clone, gives some helpful context since “Beast” pits the relatively young four-quadrant star Vijay against a shopping mall full of terrorists, one of whom he also beheads. In “Jailer,” Muthu is an older man with a legacy to consider. On-screen, Rajinikanth occasionally bumps his head against his emotional range’s low ceiling, like when Muthu cries about Arjun’s fate. In this scene, Rajinikanth leans as hard into his angles as he does whenever Muthu loses it and cackles like a lunatic with a secret.

Before an “INTERMISSION” intertitle flashed across the screen—they never pause for intermission at the AMC Empire 25—Muthu tells us that now that he’s got nothing to lose, he can stop juggling three different faces and just wear one. He says this to his family members after he warns them to stay perfectly still, so that he and his action-pose-ready friends can pick off some more bad men. After the “INTERMISSION” title, there’s an extensive new subplot involving an extra-marital affair, a bad toupee, the comedian Sunil, and the starlet Tamannaah Bhatia . Everybody acts as a version of themselves in “Jailer,” but only Rajinikanth’s performance pulls everything together by sheer willpower.

Rajinikanth is 72 years old, so it’s weirdly moving to see that, every two or three years, he can still crank out a freewheeling star vehicle as vigorous and exhausting as “Jailer.” Just outside Theater 25, I overheard a 40-something-year-old man ask an older companion what he thought about “Jailer.” I couldn’t make out the older fellow’s response, but his chuckle and little shake of the head suggested that he was still enjoying Rajinikanth’s eternal summer.

In theaters now.

Simon Abrams

Simon Abrams is a native New Yorker and freelance film critic whose work has been featured in The New York Times , Vanity Fair , The Village Voice, and elsewhere.

Rajinikanth as Tiger Muthuvel Pandian
Mohanlal as
Shivaraj Kumar as Ravana
Jackie Shroff as
Sunil Varma as
Ramya Krishnan as
Vinayakan as
Tamannaah Bhatia as
Vasanth Ravi as
Nagendra Babu as

Original Music Composer

Anirudh Ravichander

Playback Singer

Rajinikanth
Arunraja Kamaraj
Nelson Dilipkumar

Director of Photography

Vijay Kartik Kannan

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Jailer Reviews

It is the kind of film that quite happily declares to us that whatever type of dinosaur Rajinikanth may be, he is never the type to get extinct.

Full Review | Jul 11, 2024

It's a familiar path told endless times.

Full Review | Jun 4, 2024

Jailer is yet more of the same type of long-winded revenge action tale with fake-looking stunts, mediocre-to-bad acting, and an absurd plot that doesn't look believable.

Full Review | Aug 15, 2023

The guest stars do their bit and move on. It is left to Rajinikanth to shoulder the weight of the erratic script.

Full Review | Original Score: 2.5/5 | Aug 15, 2023

Nelson, whose last big screen outing was Beast, is back with his signature style of filmmaking - packed with subtle, dark comedy in the first half.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Aug 14, 2023

Who can take an avenging hero seriously when the threats are so feeble? A high-wattage star can bring only so much value to an indifferently written movie.

Full Review | Aug 14, 2023

The makers of “Jailer” toggle between emotional registers with confidence and alarming frequency.

Full Review | Original Score: 3.5/4 | Aug 11, 2023

JAILER is full-on Rajinikanth love. Nelson brings his flair for black and absurd comedy and presents us with a super stylish mass spectacle in a class of its own.

Full Review | Original Score: 7/10 | Aug 11, 2023

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'Jailer' Review: Rajinikanth returns to supreme form in Nelson Dilipkumar's film

Director nelson dilipkumar's 'jailer', starring rajinikanth, vinayakan and vasanth ravi, is a proper paisa-vasool commercial entertainer. with solid performances and good camera work, 'jailer' is strictly a theatre watch, says our review..

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Superstar Rajinikanth's 'Jailer' released in theatres worldwide on August 10.

'Jailer' released in theatres on August 10.
The film is helmed by Nelson Dilipkumar.
Jackie Shroff, Mohanlal and Shiva Rajkumar play cameo roles in the film.

Release Date: 10 Aug, 2023

Rajinikanth is truly back and how! Whenever Thalaivar scores a hit, it almost feels personal. After ‘Annatthe’, which received unfavourable reviews, it has been quite a while since Rajinikanth delivered a solid entertainer. And for Nelson Dilipkumar, who is coming back from Thalapathy Vijay’s ‘Beast’, getting ‘Jailer’ right was much-needed. And he did a great job!

‘Jailer’ opens with a group of people involved in idol smuggling, with its main leader as Varma (Vinayakan). Arjun (Vasanth Ravi) is an honest police officer who wants to track the idol smuggling network and bust them. However, Arjun gets kidnapped by Varma, and everyone in the police department fears that he is dead. His father, Muthuvel Pandian (Rajinikanth), an ex-police officer himself, is distraught.

Muthuvel Pandian is a doting father as well and now wants to take revenge. He goes on a killing spree, which leads him to Varma. But that’s not the end. Varma gives Muthuvel a daunting task as well. And Muthuvel agrees to it on one condition. The whys, whats, and hows are explored in nearly three hours.

Director Nelson Dilipkumar is known for his impeccable comedy timing, and he incorporates dark comedy in all his films. ‘Jailer’ is no different. In fact, Rajinikanth gets a subdued introduction as a retired man taking care of the household chores. He helps his grandson with his YouTube channel, buys vegetables for the house, and has absolute fun. It is great to see Thalaivar do mundane stuff as opposed to the stylish antics we’d always see. But Nelson has struck a balance in tapping into both sides of Rajinikanth, which is essentially why ‘Jailer’ works.

It is Rajinikanth who does all the heavy lifting in ‘Jailer’. The story of ‘Jailer’ has shades of Kamal Haasan’s ‘Vikram’. The two films are about a father going to any lengths for their sons, even if it means taking on a criminal gang. While ‘Vikram’ sticks to its genre righteously, ‘Jailer’ is a commercial actioner, with the right doses of action. The initial portions of Jailer have Rajinikanth attempting black comedy. While the comedy works in some parts, it also falls flat in many places. The film takes its sweet time to get into the main conflict. But Rajinikanth makes up for his subdued performance whenever the film lags.

‘Jailer’ is a film that celebrates the film industry at its core. We have Shiva Rajkumar, Jackie Shroff, and Mohanlal with their explosive cameos setting the screen on fire. And seeing these greats share screen space with Rajinikanth offers several whistle-worthy moments. The film also has many callback moments to Rajinikanth's superhit movies like 'Baasha' and 'Enthiran', among others, which add a nice touch of nostalgia.

The interval sequence, which shows Rajinikanth's epic transformation, is a total banger! It is one of those sequences that brings forth the best of everyone. And when Anirudh's 'Hukum' plays, you are sold!

‘Jailer’ also has its own shortcomings. While the story is extremely predictable, there are places where you’d begin to question how Rajinikanth has people all over the country to chip in and help him. The flashback to his early days as a police officer looks unconvincing. Several murders take place, but there are no repercussions. The story begins in Arakonam and travels to Kavali, Bangaluru and several other cities in India. And sometimes, we feel that ‘Jailer’ is incohesive.

‘Jailer’ is Rajinikanth’s return to form. Even at 72, his charisma and style make you scream in theatres. After Rajinikanth, it is Vinayakan, who has stolen the show completely. His piercing gaze and deadly wrongdoings make him a worthy villain for Rajinikanth. Vasanth Ravi, too, has a meaty role in the film.

While the performance of Rajinikanth is an asset to ‘Jailer’, it is also Anirudh Ravichander, who acts as a solid pillar of support for the film. His thumping background score will make you enjoy Rajinikanth’s swag. Whenever the ‘Hukum’ song plays on screen, the theatre erupts in joy.

Cinematographer Vijay Kartik Kannan’s frames are grand and offer visual extravaganza. Editing by R Nirmal complements the film's mood as well. Ramya Krishnan, Sunil, Tamannaah, Yogi Babu and several others appear in short-lived roles.

‘Jailer’ is a film that celebrates Rajinikanth for what he is. There are sparks of Nelson’s intelligence in ‘Jailer’ which makes it quite enjoyable.

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'Jailer' review: Rajinikanth roars back to form in this mass entertainer

Superstar Rajinikanth's latest release 'Jailer' has graced the theatres, marking a triumphant return to his iconic form following the setback of 'Annaatthe.' The film presents Rajini in a spectacular display of energy and action, evoking fond memories of his youthful vigour.

Helmed by Nelson Dilipkumar, 'Jailer' is an absolute entertainer, with Rajinikanth commanding the screen with his singular presence.

However, the movie's appeal hinges on individual perspectives. Those seeking logical coherence might find themselves disappointed. On the contrary, for those who embrace the movie's mass appeal and set aside the need for rationality, 'Jailer' will be a good cinematic experience.

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Official showcase of 'Jailer' is out, but why is Mohanlal, Tamannaah missing, ask fans

Centred around Tiger Muthuvel Pandian (Rajini), a retired police officer, the narrative delves into his unexpected descent into a world of action and conflict. This transition is catalysed by the mysterious disappearance of his son, Assistant Commissioner Arjun (Vasanth Ravi), who vanishes while on the trail of Varman (Vinayakan) and his notorious criminal syndicate.

Regrettably, the female characters, portrayed by Ramya Krishnan (as Rajinikanth's wife) and Mirnaa Menon, are severely underutilised. Their roles appear reduced to mere stereotypes of gullible and naive women, devoid of substantial involvement in the narrative.

Furthermore, certain scenes where Rajini's character berates his wife seem contrived solely for a dramatic flair, resulting in a dissonance that diminishes their suitability in the movie.

The film encompasses all the quintessential elements that define a Rajini movie: elegance, mass appeal, dynamic action, power-packed dialogues, and even a dance sequence (although Rajini's participation was limited, allowing Tamannaah to shine).

Vinayakan's presence in the film is undeniably robust. While he embodies a formidable villain, his mannerisms become somewhat repetitive over the course of the movie.

The film strikes a balance between action and comedy. Actors like Yogi Babu and Sunil adeptly handle the comedic aspects.

While the pacing wanes in the second half, potentially losing the audience's attention, the cinematic climax sequences compensate admirably.

The inclusion of cameos from stalwarts like Mohanlal, Jackie Shroff and Shiva Rajkumar adds a flavorful blend of ingredients that prevents the movie from unravelling. Their performances resonate warmly on screen, particularly in tandem with the ever-present Rajini. Witnessing Rajini in his full charismatic splendour after a considerable hiatus is indeed invigorating for the audience.

'Jailer' warrants a theatrical experience, especially for those who revel in mass entertainers. Amid the whirlwind of elements within the movie, Nelson has successfully delivered a commendable entertainment package.

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‘jailer’ review: rajinikanth is back in complete, majestic form, 'jailer', directed by nelson, stars rajinikanth in the lead..

Muthuvel Pandiyan ( Rajinikanth ), now retired, lives in serenity with his family, doing odd jobs around the house and lamenting that a ‘retired man gets no respect’. He spends his days running errands and helping his endearingly self-assured grandson shoot his YouTube videos. This peace is threatened by a foreshadowing of typical thug-cop danger – Muthuvel’s son, a cop Arjun (Vasanth Ravi) is hot on the trail of a nexus that steals and smuggles idols from places of worship.

Rajinikanth in a still from Jailer.

(Photo Courtesy: YouTube)

This bravado will imminently lead to violent consequences for his family, as is the template with these films.

When Arjun mysteriously disappears, his father is nudged awake from a chosen slumber to reclaim his title, ‘Tiger’ Muthuvel Pandiyan. Rajinikanth is in full form in Jailer – his charisma is less infectious and more god-like. His real-life colossal celebrity throws a shadow over the entire film, creating several massy, whistle-inducing moments.

‘Tiger’ Muthuvel Pandiyan has an army of people ready to serve him, waiting for a single command to fire on all cylinders. Tiger’s backstory might seem unconvincing, making you struggle to grasp what he has done to earn this reverence but the person you’re seeing on screen is Rajinikanth – reverence seems but natural.

Cameos from actors like Mohanlal, Shiva Rajkumar, and Jackie Shroff cement the film’s pan-India appeal and both characters are weaved into the story astutely which makes the film’s payoff even more of a visual spectacle. The actors’ allure mixed with Vijay Kartik Kannan’s intuitive cinematography elevates the film.

A scene in the climax featuring Mohanlal and several trucks is awe-inducing.

Nelson’s expertise lies in structuring the characters on the sidelines, especially since he dabbles in the complex black comedy genre. Considering this is something he has attempted before, the comic elements in the film almost always land. However, the side characters barely get their due this time around.

Aranthangi Nisha, who played an unforgettable character in Nelson’s Kolamaavu Kokila doesn’t truly get her space in the story. Redin Kingsley and Yogi Babu, both established comic actors, who’ve earlier collaborated with the director in Doctor are woefully underutilised.

One especially wonders how Ramya Krishnan (who plays Muthuvel’s wife), a magnetic and commanding star in her own right, can be reduced to a woman trembling at the dinner table as an action set piece unravels around her.

Ramya Krishnan in a still from Jailer.

Why does the filmmaker who created a film like Kolamaavu Kokila posit that a man can only reach his true superhero status if the women in his family are terrified of him? Why isn’t the possibility of an actually equal marriage not even a distant thought?

Jailer ’s greatest strength is also its biggest flaw. Rajinikanth is more than capable of carrying an entire film on his shoulders but, in this case, there is an overreliance on the star that makes most of the film seem underwhelming. The film’s plot is overtly simple which leads to the additions of a caper, a love triangle on a film set, and some songs that seem out of place.

On that note, the ‘Hukum – Thalaivar Alappara’ by Anirudh Ravichander and Super Subu is a powerful leit motif that scores some of the film’s most effective scenes.

Nelson’s magic as a filmmaker is most evident in Jailer ’s primary antagonist – the idol thief Varma (Vinayakan). The actor is equal parts terrifying and impressive as Varma – he doesn’t believe in ‘investigations’ since he’s not a cop and decides instead to kill anyone he suspects.

Vinayakan in a still from Jailer.

There is not a single moment of redemption for the villain and that is what makes him so effective. Vinayakan plays Varma as a chilling blend of man and beast – in one scene, he almost prowls towards his nemesis on all fours. While Muthuvel’s ability to kill is introduced subtly, Varma’s thirst for blood is more in-the-face. That difference exists to portray that Varma’s violence is for evil while Muthuvel duels for justice.

As is the case with Nelson’s films, the story ends up being about a man’s fight to save his family while grappling with how far he is willing to go for absolute justice. Nelson’s love for the macabre, inspired perhaps from Quentin Tarantino’s love for stylised violence, makes up for most of the film’s charm.

Varma remarks, “It is the grandfather who dies first in every film,” adding that he wants to flip the script. This is precisely what Nelson does; we see a man of machismo but one who has aged out of being an ‘angry young man’ stereotype. But the film wants the audience to remember, Rajinikanth has still got it.

Jackie Shroff in a still from Jailer.

Without Rajinikanth, Jailer might not have had the same magnetism as it does but since the star is on screen, flicking his shades and throwing lighters in the air, it’s a whole different story.

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Rajinikanth's 'Jailer' film review: A glorious first half tapers off into oblivion

Even if director Nelson hadn’t flaunted the Breaking Bad tee in that teaser video of Jailer ’s single, we all know by now, on evidence of his films, that the series has had a serious impact on him. Cocaine smuggling in Kolamavu Kokila , twin assassins in Doctor , Walter White masks in Beast … and now, Jailer gives us more evidence of its influence on him.

In this film, people get dissolved in acid, a ceiling comes crashing down, a policeman pretends to be drunk and lures away two enemies before finishing them off… and perhaps most importantly, a cop father deals with the loss of his cop son.

We also know by now that Nelson’s film universe milks tragedy for comedy—and that, and his visual signatures, make him such a unique filmmaker. In Jailer , heads get lopped off, family members disappear, women are perpetually unsafe… and like its men, the universe of Jailer feels cold. Nelson isn’t interested in your tears (not unless they are of laughter)—and so, he shows little interest in capturing the emotional consequences of events like the disappearance of Muthuvel’s son (Vasanth Ravi). In fact, soon after this event, you see Muthuvel and their grandson enjoying an ice cream—which is a strange scene to come up with so early after a profound loss. But I wasn’t in the mood to resist these developments. This is Nelson’s world, after all, and he has proven ways of delivering unique entertainment. He thrives in unexpected, cool violence; he specializes in deadpan humor. And often, he combines both to powerful effect. When Muthuvel drags a sack to Yogi Babu’s car, we know it’s the aftermath of a murder. But that doesn’t stop the scene from being funny. Quite the opposite, in fact.

These are such great moments in a wildly entertaining first half. Every time Rajinikanth agrees to work with a filmmaker, a question that pops up immediately is, ‘Will the filmmaker, in making the Rajini brand work, compromise on his previous strengths?’ Jailer ’s first half suggests no dilution in the Nelson brand of filmmaking. In his fascinating world, when Muthuvel smiles, it’s an expression of pain. When characters squeal in pain, it’s often for laughs (like when a character is hung from a fan). You know it’s the Nelson world when a husband calmly looks at his wife, who’s shocked about a dead body falling on her, and simply advises, “Just push it.” Rajinikanth, at one point, refers to himself as a dinosaur—and somehow, Nelson ensures that this lands as a mass moment. It’s the first half in which Yogi Babu’s quips seem like the perfect foil for Rajini’s serious demeanor. The film, in these portions, establishes enough motivation for ‘Tiger’ Muthuvel Pandian to go berserk; it establishes a menacing, nutty villain and actor Vinayakan’s performance (those unforgettable eyes!) is wonderfully physical. And above all, perhaps the most important—and likable—decision Nelson seems to have taken in this film concerns Rajinikanth’s fight sequences. This film almost wholly does away with hand-to-hand combat. Even when it uses it, Nelson ensures it delivers maximum impact (like in that memorable interval scene). Finally, we are realizing that Rajinikanth has enough charisma to ensure that he doesn’t need to do all the killing. It’s enough if, like in that pre-interval scene, he sits down and asserts control, while someone else takes care of the shooting.

So, yes, I do think the world of everything that happens in this film before it breaks for an interval, but then, as the click-bait text goes on social media, ‘what happened next shocked me’. The film, for no rhyme or reason, goes into freefall, in directions that don’t feel organic at all. There’s a flashback in which we see a ‘younger’ Rajinikanth—and the Rajini admirer in me felt compelled to enjoy it (make the most of everything you get from him, right?). Let it not matter that the walk of the younger Muthuvel isn’t as dynamic as it needed to be, or that the look itself is not-so-convincing. This scene also shows the policeman, Muthuvel, happily lopping off a prisoner’s ear as punishment, and declaring that he won’t follow ‘rules’ when dealing with those who don’t follow them. Such blatant romanticization of police violence has always made me uncomfortable—and this time too, it was no different. This film, interestingly, also talks of how cops are generally corrupt—and it’s perhaps for this reason that Muthuvel seems to have closer alliances with reformed gangsters than he does with those in his department. So, no, it’s definitely not a film that’s out to whitewash the police department—but still, the preeminent star of our times, wearing a police uniform, unleashing brutality to Anirudh’s thumping music, doesn’t exactly scream responsibility.

Soon, the film, bizarrely, turns into a sort of heist; suddenly, it’s all a far cry from the pre-interval joys. You get something about a film shoot; there’s something about a bad actor vying to win Tamannaah over a rival, his own assistant; wigs are worn and removed; Redin Kingsley, who was so funny in Doctor , stares aimlessly and mumbles something about ‘refraction’… All these flabby portions fill up big chunks in the second half, and Rajinikanth seems strangely absent for a while. To prop things up perhaps, top actors from other languages play cameos, and we get representatives from across regions including Shiva Rajkumar, Mohan Lal, Sunil, and Jackie Shroff, all making brief, forgettable appearances… Even more forgettable are the women in this film. Ramya Krishnan plays Rajinikanth’s wife in the film, and she’s largely relegated to looking meek and frightened. Somewhere around the interval, there’s a striking visual of Ramya Krishnan rising and Padayappa, sorry, Rajinikanth sitting down, but the film doesn’t make any more of it or of her.

A last-ditch attempt to wrest control over the film feels too little, too late—and there’s a downer of an end as well, for a film that seemed so dynamic, so explosive for long periods in the beginning. I went with the film with all its fanciful leaps (like the convenient idea of CCTV footage bailing out Muthuvel, like allies constantly showing up when needed), in the hope that consistent, memorable payoffs would come, but there just aren’t enough.

None of this is Rajinikanth’s fault though. The man seems to belong as organically in Nelson’s universe as Sivakarthikeyan did in Doctor . He’s smiling while killing. He’s crying while laughing. He’s lopping off heads like a vendor slices vegetables, which perhaps leads Yogi Babu to confuse bloodstains with beetroot coloring. He polishes the shoes of younger actors; he even does a self-deprecatory jig as a backup dancer at one point. This is an actor who clearly doesn’t have a problem submitting, on evidence of this film; if there are problems in Jailer —and the second half is a sackful of it—it has to be attributed to the writing.

As Jailer ended, I was left with many thoughts. I thought about whether that brief flashback was enough to justify the title. I thought about the film seeming so full of promise at the halfway mark and bizarrely losing direction from then on. I thought about another unforgettable Tamil film from 27 years ago that spoke about an incorruptible father dealing with his son, without compromising on ‘commercial entertainment’. Above all, I thought about how many more films Rajinikanth has in him and whether we are making the most of his willingness to submit to filmmakers.

Rating: 3/5

(This story first appeared on Cinema Express )

READ MORE: Rajinikanth: The Superstar title is always a problem

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Jailer movie poster: A close-up of Rajinikanth who plays central character "Tiger" Muthuvel Pandian

Common Sense Says
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Common Sense Media Review

Violent Indian action comedy about a father seeking revenge.

Parents Need to Know

Why Age 16+?

Severe violence, gore, and torture sequences. People kill and injure others usin

Includes: "s--t," "bloody," "hell," "get lost," "moron," "shut up," "damn," and

Multiple characters are seen smoking a lot throughout the film. In a few scenes,

There is one sensual song and dance sequence. Some use of innuendo as humor.

Any Positive Content?

All characters are Indian and are played by Indian actors. There are very few fe

Given the excessive crime, gore, and themes of exacting violent revenge, there a

Central male characters -- Muthuvel and his enemy, Varman -- continually engage

Violence & Scariness

Severe violence, gore, and torture sequences. People kill and injure others using sharp blades, bombs, hammers, sticks, guns, and rifles. There is extensive hand-to-hand combat in multiple scenes. Someone is slapped. People are hanged upside-down and dunked into tumblers filled with sulfuric acid. Threats of chopping up bodies and kidnapping people are made numerous times. There is a conversation about suicide. Characters drive recklessly and multiple vehicles are blasted through bombs and grenades. In elaborate sequences, someone's head is chopped off and another individual's ear is sliced. In multiple scenes, people are tied up and beaten.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Violence & Scariness in your kid's entertainment guide.

Includes: "s--t," "bloody," "hell," "get lost," "moron," "shut up," "damn," and "idiot." "God" used as an exclamation.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Language in your kid's entertainment guide.

Drinking, Drugs & Smoking

Multiple characters are seen smoking a lot throughout the film. In a few scenes, characters are seen drinking alcohol.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Drinking, Drugs & Smoking in your kid's entertainment guide.

Sex, Romance & Nudity

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Sex, Romance & Nudity in your kid's entertainment guide.

Diverse Representations

All characters are Indian and are played by Indian actors. There are very few female characters. Those that are present don't play any active part in the unfolding of the plot. Instead they are limited to performing sensual dance sequences or as damsels in distress needing protection from their aggressive male counterparts. The film pans across different Indian cities and has a male writing and directing team. The film is in Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu, Kannada, and Hindi with English subtitles available.

Did we miss something on diversity? Suggest an update.

Positive Messages

Given the excessive crime, gore, and themes of exacting violent revenge, there aren't any positive messages to take from the movie.

Positive Role Models

Central male characters -- Muthuvel and his enemy, Varman -- continually engage in violence and vengeance.

Parents need to know that Jailer is a violent and gory Indian Tamil-language action comedy that follows "Tiger" Muthuvel Pandian's (Rajinikanth) vengeful journey after he believes his son has been killed. Expect a lot of bloody action, with multiple brawls and torture sequences where people are tied up, suspended upside-down, and beaten to death. A person is gorily beheaded and another has their ear cut off. Weapons such as knives, axes, blades, hammers, guns, rifles, bombs, grenades, etc. are used to cause injury and death. A person threatens to abduct people and slice their bodies. People discuss the possibility of a suicide. There is dangerous driving, and cars and trucks explode in multiple scenes. Some sexual innuendo is used by characters as a form of humor, while people smoke excessively throughout. Language includes "s--t," "bloody," "hell," "damn," etc.. The film is in Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu, Kannada, and Hindi with English subtitles also available. To stay in the loop on more movies like this, you can sign up for weekly Family Movie Night emails .

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Videos and photos.

Jailer: A character polishes the shoes of his son who is a police officer

Parent and Kid Reviews

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There aren't any parent reviews yet. Be the first to review this title.

What's the Story?

In JAILER, when his son goes missing, "Tiger" Muthuvel Pandian (Rajinikanth) leaves no stone unturned to find those who killed him and exact his violent revenge.

Is It Any Good?

Directed by Nelson Dilipkumar , this Indian Tamil-language action comedy is full of violence and gore. Jailer hovers around themes of crime, revenge, and betrayal, with central character Muthuvel full of machoism as he sets off on a mission to exact punishment on his son's abductors. It's a familiar path told endless times. Even the much-loved Rajinikanth fails to bring any charisma to an otherwise bland movie. Prolonged action sequences, endless bloodbaths, and gruesome torture scenes barely spare time for anything interesting to take place, despite the near three-hour duration. While the few female characters remain on the sidelines and have absolutely no role in the development of what exists as a plot.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

Families can talk about the violence in Jailer . How did it make you feel? Did you find it entertaining or over the top? Do some types of media violence have different impact than others ?

What was central character Muthuvel's motivation? Did it remind you of any other movies you've seen?

How were women portrayed in the movie? What purpose did they serve to the plot? Did you find it problematic? How can I find positive gender representations in movies and on TV?

Movie Details

In theaters : August 9, 2023
On DVD or streaming : September 7, 2023
Cast : Rajinikanth , Mohanlal , Shivarajkumar
Director : Nelson Dilipkumar
Inclusion Information : Indian/South Asian actors
Studio : Ayangaran International Films
Genre : Action/Adventure
Run time : 168 minutes
MPAA rating : NR
Last updated : May 20, 2024

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

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Jailer (I) (2023)

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Jailer movie review: Superstar Rajinikanth, Mohanlal and Shiva Rajkumar are the triple threat that keeps giving

One of the most memorable things about Nelson’s directorial, Jailer, starring Rajinikanth, is the fact that the superstar doesn’t get into a zone where he performs unbelievable action sequences

Director: Nelson

Cast: Rajinikanth, Vasanth Ravi, Vinayakan, Jackie Shroff, Mohanlal and Shiva Rajkumar

Spoilers ahead for Jailer …

The unending love a father has for his son, allows him to take a back seat. He is no more a man to be feared, but someone that the family feels extremely comfortable around. His grandchild trusts him, his wife isn’t at the beck and call of his, to fulfil his every wish, and his son is affectionate enough. Certain moments, however, make it clear that he is more than what he showcases on the surface and Jailer does a brilliant job of revealing his true self one layer at a time. Initially, he is Muthu, the one that we have all met before. Playful, charming and quite witty. Then he is Muthuvel Pandian, and this man too is familiar to those of us who have met Alex Pandian. The ego, pride and even the arrogance that Muthuvel Pandian exudes in Jailer, seems like an unintentional or intentional call back to the superstar’s popular movie Moondru Mugam (1982). Beyond that, he is Tiger Muthuvel Pandian. This is the layer, that Muthu had hidden deep down for years.

The layer which had left his wife sleepless many nights in the past, the one that put him in danger often is the one that is quite intriguing. He had given up his starched khakhi uniform, traded it with familial love, and simple, carefree life. Yet, Tiger was always alive within Muthu. It is a play on Hyde and Jekyll really, and in Jailer, Nelson adds his own twist. He gives Mr Hyde a dangerous, yet incredible sense of humour. In fact, certain scenes remain memorable because of this incredible humour. For instance, Nelson takes a usual confrontation between a hero and villain, turns this scene on its head, and it transforms into something that leaves us laughing out loud. This twisted sense of humour is just the cherry on top, as the film has a lot more going for it.

One of the most memorable things about Nelson’s directorial, Jailer , starring Rajinikanth , is the fact that the superstar doesn’t get into a zone where he performs unbelievable action sequences. This is not to say that the film has less action, no. It simply means that the fights are more believable. This is because Muthuvel Pandian lets the others do the work for him, while he remains the brain behind the operation. It is intriguing from the very beginning because now fans know that Rajinikanth doesn’t have to beat up 100 people to confirm that he is powerful. So, because he is the brains that he chooses to associate with others for the brawn. Not just any brawn either, but ones who he has managed to overpower over the years as a jailer in Tihar. These are all men who understand the power of Muthuvel Pandian, and would prefer to be his ally than his enemy. They also seem to have developed a bond of sorts. It is here that Jackie Shroff, Shiv Rajkumar and Mohanlal come into play.

To be honest, fans were able to guess the roles to be played by these stars in the film. However, what was surprising was the clever use of such actors and the star power that they come with. It could have easily gone sideways, considering the following that both the actors have in their own states. If the roles were not upto mark, the risk was not just about being trolled like with Beast , but being boycotted as well. Thankfully, Nelson has craftily gotten his way around this problem by giving space to each of the star to bring their pizzazz to the film. Especially the pre-climax portion of the film takes care of any lingering doubts about the presence of these stars in the film. This is also one of the most electrifying sequences in the film.

Nelson has also put in a lot of work along with cinematographer Vijay Kartik Kannan, because the film is not just aesthetically beautiful but has a language. The shots of Muthu that establishes him as a jailer during a flashback, and the shot of him right before he steps out to exact revenge — the connection is stunning. There is also a scene of Vinayakan in the latter half of the film when he confronts Dhanraj with a bloody smile, and that single shot personifies the entirety of the villain, Varma. In fact, I personally loved the build-up that this character got visually, and in writing as well. After all, three stars had to come together to take him down. Beyond that, the fact that he is not redeemable, and the conviction with which actor Vinayakan played this role is what made the climax that much more enjoyable. Visually, there are a lot more stunning shots in the film on a closer look.

Yet, the one thing that the director hasn’t risked is the writing. Meaning, he has kept it all very formulaic. He has played like a kid in a candy store when it comes to the treatment of the film, but the core plot in itself is pretty formulaic. That is in a way good for the film, as this was the very department that let Beast down in the first place. So, if you are reading this to simply understand if Jailer is better than Beast , then in a single word, yes!

But wait, if you are looking for well-rounded female characters and representation. Then stop right here. Jailer is a film that will be successful despite failing the Bechdel test, because it passes on entertainment value with flying colours like many other successful commercial films. I refuse to address the female characters that were part of the film because they were nothing but props to hype up the other characters in the film. Sure, Ramya Krishan’s reaction in the trailer must have got you all excited, but if you were seriously looking for female characters with well-deserved arcs, then your might as well look for a unicorn in a desert.

Rating: 3 (out of 5 stars)

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‘What A Performance’, Fans Sing Praises For Rajinikanth’s 'Jailer' As It Finally Drops On OTT

On august 10, the movie "jailer," starring rajinikanth, was released in theaters. trade reports claim that the movie's global box office receipts exceeded rs 600 crore..

The action movie Jailer starring Rajinikanth has recently been made available for streaming on OTT after breaking box office records. Reviewers, industry analysts, and the general public all had a largely good opinion of the movie on Twitter. Jackie Shroff, Shiva Rajkumar, Ramya Krishnan, Vinayakan, Tamannaah Bhatia, Vasanth Ravi, Yogi Babu, and Mohanlal are among the other actors who appear in Nelson's film.

Now, chatter around the film has begun again as it has dropped on OTT.

Let's take a look at what fans have to say

One wrote, “#JailerOnPrime ..most wonderful movie @rajinikanth sir with a nerve-wracking interval scene..#Hukum song bgm and fight ..... bhaleundi #garam garam”

Another added, “Very few from industry wished for #Jailer. Very clearly most of the celebrities and trackers were expecting the downfall of #Rajinikanth. But #Jailer turned out to be an Industry hit.”

A third wrote, “The scene where Rajini sir, Shivanna and Mohanlal sir smoke in the climax is one of the finest mass scenes I have witnessed.”

Not interested/ inclined to watch Jawan. Never hated or loved SRK but thanks to Bitlee & Anna fans don’t want to 🤷‍♂️ Can’t blame me Jai Pendava 💪 ( andha photo ku ) 😁 #JailerOnPrime #JailerHistoricBO #JailerIndustryHit pic.twitter.com/qx7olyUDom — Matt.S (@mattskumar) September 7, 2023

Finished it now nd #rajni sir what swag u carry "slight disappointed by that middle scenes that felt little cringe .. overall all those Cameo that last scene those twists were nice .. worth watching cinema 🫰🫰🫰 — Sonu Abhi (@SonuAbhi10) September 6, 2023

#JailerOnPrime What a picture clarity 4k🥵. Moreover the screen aspect ratio is top notch 16:9 Full screen 💥💥 Enjoy Guys 😎 #JailerHistoricBO #Jailer #Rajinikanth pic.twitter.com/lsxKNWyy3I — Rajini Warrior🌟🌟🌟🔪 (@RajiniWarrior) September 7, 2023

#Jailer proved the people's love ❤ yet again 👍 This Love Kingdom which was build by people across Globe on #SuperstarRajinikanth for Decades just kept growing 🐎🦣🦖 🦅 Eagle Flew Higher 🤘 #JailerHistoricBO #JailerSuccessCelebrations #ThalaivarNirantharam #JailerOnPrime pic.twitter.com/TJD6ee5GZb — Warrior Always (@Arulrojanatesa1) September 7, 2023

Wow.. #JailerOnPrime rocking quality and frames.. After twice in theatres watching it 3rd time on @PrimeVideoIN .. #SuperstatRajinikanth #Jailer repeat value is immense .. No wonder it is a industry hit #JailerHistoricBO #Jailer pic.twitter.com/yWkWO9CgYp — Science&politics (@Peacedividend1) September 6, 2023

Thalivaaa Mass Banger Hype Screen Presence’s with Ani Composting🛐💥 #JailerOnPrime pic.twitter.com/RtAh3mSKfw — Rahul (@imrahulbethala) September 7, 2023

Just finished watching the intro, interval, cameos, pre-climax scenes.... When I watched theatre thrice all the time I was whistling, screaming for all scenes.... Now watched and enjoyed the moments... Now 4th time will watch over the weekend with family again — 🇮🇳 Pundalik 🇮🇳 (@iPundalikH) September 6, 2023

#JailerOnPrime ..most wonderful movie @rajinikanth sir with nerve-wracking interval scene.. #Hukum song bgm and fight ..... bhaleundi 💥🔥 #garam garam pic.twitter.com/LxDvAaGlvq — kota Tejaswini (@tejaswinik2020) September 7, 2023

Very few from industry wished for #Jailer . Very clearly most of the celebrities and trackers were expecting the downfall of #Rajinikanth . But #Jailer turned out to be an Industry hit.Check how many wished for #Jawan #JailerOnPrime #JawanReview #JailerIndustryHit — Siva (@rss_podimass) September 7, 2023

INTERVAL SCENE 🥵🔥💥🙌🏻 #Rajinikanth sits with his arms raised like that.....GOOSEBUMPS That Scene🥵🥲🙌🏻 @rajinikanth #Rajinikanth𓃵 #ThalaivarRajinikanth @anirudhofficial BGM PEAK's HERE 💥🔥 @sunpictures #Jailer #JailerIndustryHit #JailerOnPrime pic.twitter.com/ICMmOxeuWj — ✯☆꧁ ᜣꪖꪀᦔꪊ ꧂☆✯ (@nayak_banavath1) September 7, 2023

This is one of the sequences in the second half in #JailerOnPrime . The gentleman is a famous actor in South, he passes the tissue paper box to the wife and daughter of Rajnikanth's character in this. I felt excited and dreaded at the same time thinking about ++ pic.twitter.com/vzL6MnmHAt — Abhishek Deshpande 🔂 | Technical writer (@ugichapla) September 7, 2023

Aaj #Jawan kal #JailerOnPrime Aha mazza aa jayega yaar! pic.twitter.com/b3HAN8pmq0 — david (@david87292055) September 7, 2023

One of my favorite Actor SRK...But will wait for #Jawan to release on OTT...Itna paisa hi nahi hai ki hall mein dekhne jau..For the time being watching #Jailer #JailerOnPrime — విజయ్ మోహన్ దాస్ (@FilmyVijay) September 7, 2023

Those watching #Jailer . Don't miss out @anirudhofficial Sambhavam exactly at 29th minutes. #JailerOnPrime — Daemon (@k3_butcher) September 7, 2023

#JailerOnPrime Super Awesome !! — Arnab Bhattacharyya (@TheBongGunner) September 7, 2023

This scene will be remembered for ages😂 #Jailer #JailerOnPrime pic.twitter.com/injYn6BXVT — likith (@LikithSagar28) September 7, 2023

Watched #Jailer movie on @PrimeVideoIN . One of overrated and unnecessary PAN India film. Film fails to engage. Neither story nor screenplay works. Average movie with mass scenes. Overhyped, cliche storyline with only mass scene and buildup. So overstretched. #JailerOnPrime — Dushyant Lodaya (@dushyant_lodaya) September 7, 2023

Dear @PrimeVideoIN @sunpictures It's very disgusting to see there's no Separate Prints for #Jailer for various Languages. Despite being Theatrical Release in Telugu, you are forcing the audience to watch the Tamil print with Tamil Titles & References. Shame! #JailerOnPrime — AVV (@nameisavv) September 7, 2023

The scene where Rajini sir, Shivanna and Mohanlal sir smoke in the climax is one of the finest mass scenes I have witnessed. The Thalaivar bit is fireeeeeeee. Annamalai vibes!🥵🥵🥵 #JailerOnPrime — theprabhakarsharma (@theprabhakarsh) September 7, 2023

🔥🔥🔥🔥 #Thalaivar170 Vere level Mass 🔥🔥 He is perfectly fit and great 👍👌😍 #JailerOnPrime #JailerIndustryHit pic.twitter.com/ubM5Qvp5eb — ஸ்ரீ நி ☆♡JAILER♡☆ (@bksri108hot) September 7, 2023

On August 10, the movie "Jailer," starring Rajinikanth, was released in theaters. Trade reports claim that the movie's global box office receipts exceeded Rs 600 crore.

Jailer' will have fierce competition from 'Jawan' starting today, September 7. Many theaters have reserved screens for filmmaker Atlee's significant Bollywood debut because the Shah Rukh Khan-starring film is simultaneously being released in Tamil and Telugu. 'Jawan' has been given over 400 screens in Tamil Nadu, according to trade reports.

The movie "Jailer" is still doing well at the box office. Indiatoday's preliminary estimations state that on September 6, the movie made a net income of Rs. 1.30 crore in India. This brings the domestic box office's 28-day total to Rs 340.98 crore net. The movie had a 16.75 percent occupancy on September 6 in India.

Nelson Dilipkumar talks about his style of working

Nelson recently participated in IMDb's Burning Questions series and answered questions about Jailer and his filmmaking approach.

Nelson said that before becoming a filmmaker, he had no prior experience in the movie business and that his learning came from watching a lot of movies.

When inquired about whether his way of making films is influenced by other filmmakers, Nelson responded, “I might have a lot of influences, but it’s not a conscious attempt to develop films that are comparable to the ones I enjoy. But there may be some influences here and there.”

Iraa Paul writes for Indiatimes OTT section - Binge. She has equal passion for hot coffee and hot OTT content. She is a pro at suggesting movies and series to watch on the weekend or when you are having a bad day. On special days, you can find her interviewing streaming era stars.

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Jailer Movie Review: An out and out Rajinikanth show with dynamic cameos of Mohanlal and Shiva Rajkumar

Planning to watch the Nelson Dilipkumar directed Jailer starring Rajinikanth in cinema halls this week? Read Pinkvilla review and let us help you decide

Jailer works, but in parts. When it’s good, it’s very good. But when it’s bad, it just drags
Jailer has enough mass moments to appease the die hard Rajinikanth fans
Howeever, Nelson's celebration of Rajinikanth's aura warranted a little better screenplay

Name: Jailer

Director: nelson dilipkumar, cast: mohanlal,shiva rajkumar,rajinikanth,jackie shroff,ramya krishnan,yogi babu, writer: nelson dilipkumar.

Rajinikanth films are like a festival - They open to packed houses on the shows as early as 6 am, even in a city like Mumbai. It’s a surreal experience to watch his cinema in packed houses, as fans celebrate, the walk, and every appearance, which at times even makes up for the slips and flips in the screenplay. The experience and the slips in screenplay is what Jailer is all about. Here’s our review.

Jailer revolves around Tiger Muthuvel Pandian (Rajinikanth), an ex-jailer, who is on a mission to seek revenge for the death of his son, ACP Arjun (Vasanth Ravi) against a mafia dealing in temple antique artifacts. However, he encounters several unexpected conflicts that puts his own family – Vijaya (Ramya Krishnan), Shwetha (Mirnaa Menon) and grandchild Rithvik – in danger. Through the journey, he gets support from old alleys, Mathew ( Mohanlal ), Narasimha (Shiva Rajkumar) and (Jackie Shroff). Does he succeed to save his family and avenge his son? All of this unfolds in Jailer.

What works?

Jailer celebrates the aura of Superstar Rajinikanth. He gets some of the biggest crowd-pleasing moments in the drama space – be it the extended introduction block, or the pre and post interval sequence, the pre-climax twist and the climax. The film has enough ‘Rajini-Moments’ which will be enjoyed by the hardcore fans.

The plot is driven by father and son emotion, which is relatable and Nelson does well to add an interesting dynamic to the screenplay as the film progresses. It’s a film that rides primarily on the emotion, and drama rather than the action. The comic track featuring Rajinikanth with Yogi Babu work’s brilliant in the narrative, and we wished the comic talent had more to do, especially in the second half. Much like the film, the humour of Jailer also works in bits and pieces.

Watch the Jailer Trailer

Anirudh’s background score is one of the biggest pluses of the film and elevates the mass moments to another level. The aforementioned 4 blocks leave an even better impact due to the background score of Anirudh, which does complete justice to the aura of Rajinikanth. The dialogues ensure enough claptrap moments. The family angle, especially in the initial few frames are done well and brings a smile on your face.

The entire villain track, led by Vinayakan, is also done well, when in the intense space.

What doesn’t work?

Jailer is tad too long for the plot that Nelson has in his hand. The filmmaker could have easily put out a crisper version of the same film for a better impact. While the film has enough in terms of standalone moments, it does go off the track for a major part of the second half, which is thankfully lifted by a good climax. While the entire track of heist would have read great on paper, it is not well executed and hampers the pace of the film in a big way. The Blast Mohan (Sunil) subtract also doesn’t click as well as expected. While the humour works in the first half, the film gets derailed on the comic front in the second half.

Some of the sub-plots are left unexplored – be it the entire nexus of the police department working hand-to-hand with the stolen artifact’s mafia, or the arc of Tiger Muthuvel Pandian’s family members. The antagonist track doesn’t work when Nelson attempts to marry the intensity with his dark comedy. The entire psychiatrist angle in the first half doesn't land well. Pacing is also an issue through the film, as there are a lot of moments which drag and there are also some sequences which add nothing to the narrative.

Jailer Star Performances

Jailer is a superstar Rajinikanth show. The film isn’t just about the display of Rajinikanth’s superstardom and antiques, but also has enough scenes that puts forward Rajinikanth – The actor. He aces the emotional, dramatic, comic and heroic scenes with perfection and has a screen presence that very few in Indian can command. The film rides on Rajinikanth’s shoulders and they are strong enough to take the film through.

Vinayakan is menacing in his part of a dangerous antagonist, Verma and does well to be the baddie alongside a force like Rajinikanth. Mohanlal has a stellar cameo and his appearance is sure to be greeted with seeti’s and taali’s all across the board, especially in Kerala. He has a dynamic presence. Same for Shiva Rajkumar, who gets an excellent introduction to this tale. Jackie Shroff is decent in his appearance. Ramya Krishnan has limited screen time, but she does well in the allotted role. Same for Mirnaa Menon and the child artist, Ritvik. Tamannaah’s cameo is decent, but her track is a complete let down.

Jailer Movie Review: Final Verdict :

Jailer works, but in parts. When it’s good, it’s very good. But when it’s bad, it just drags. Nelson succeeds in his attempt to celebrate the stardom of Rajinikanth and blends it with a performance driven character, however, the film warranted a better screenplay to drive the proceedings. It’s a decent entertainer that works due to the aura of Rajinikanth in mass blocks alongside the dynamic cameos by Mohanlal and Shiva Rajkumar. Jailer has enough moments to emerge a box office winner.

ALSO READ: Gadar 2, Jailer, OMG 2, Bhola Shankar set to gross 300 crores on Independence day weekend at Indian box office

Film Journalist

Film Journalist and trade analyst. With over 9 years of experience, every day, Himesh attempts to be credible with exclusive and authentic news breaks in the era of click baits. With an MBA in Finance, he believes numbers bring in an element of objectivity in life. At Pinkvilla, he reports and analyzes the box office collections of feature films and has broken over 1000 exclusive stories. In the past, Himesh has worked with Mumbai Mirror, Catch News, and Bollywood Hungama.

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Jailer Review: Solid Start, Regular End

Movie: Jailer Rating: 2.75/5 Banner: Sun Pictures Cast: Rajnikanth, Mohan Lal, Jackie Shroff, Shiva Rajkumar, Sunil, Ramya Krishnan, Tamannaah, Yogi Babu and others. Music: Anirudh DOP: Vijay Kartik Kannan Editor: R.Nirmal Art: Drk Kiran Action: Stun Siva Presents: Kalanithi Maran Produced by: Sun Pictures Written and directed by: Nelson Release Date: Aug 10, 2023

The recent speech by Rajinikanth, along with the trailer and songs, has collectively fueled the hype around "Jailer." The movie has garnered significant attention even in the absence of any Telugu promotion.

It remains to be seen if this film will signify Rajinikanth's resurgence in his career.

Story: Varma (Vinayakan) leads a mafia gang that steals temple idols and sells them in other countries. Varma and his gang kidnap an ACP who has been studying and documenting this gang's operations for months. Muthu (Rajinikanth), the ACP's father and a retired police officer, is devastated by the news of his son's kidnapping and possible murder.

So Muthu decides to exact his vengeance by killing the gang members one by one. Varma, on the other hand, threatens to kill Muthu's wife (Ramya Krishna), daughter-in-law, and grandson.

How will Muthu save his family and also finish the mission?

Artistes’ Performances: Rajinikanth not only portrays a role that suits his age but also delivers an exceptional performance. Throughout the first half, his presence captivates the audience's attention. His smile, idiosyncrasies, and intensity are all portrayed brilliantly. He holds our complete focus until the intermission. His interactions with Yogi Babu also add to the entertainment.

Vinayakan portrays the villain's character with a menacing aura, even though the role itself follows a familiar pattern.

Ramya Krishna portrays the conventional housewife character, but unfortunately, she doesn't have any particularly engaging scenes.

Mohanlal, Jackie Shroff, and Shiva Rajkumar make cameo appearances. Tamannaah Bhatia also appears in a few scenes and a song. However, the song on screen doesn't match the impact it had in the trailers.

Technical Excellence: The cinematography is superb. The cinematographer's capture of interior fight scenes deserves special mention. The production values are also impressive.

The film is held together by Anirudh's musical score, which includes both the background score and songs.

Highlights: Superb first half Rajinikanth’s performance Anirudh’s musical score

Drawback: Sunil’s boring episode Routine scenes in the second half Slow-paced moments

Analysis "Jailer" kicks off on a high note, with Rajinikanth portraying a mild-mannered retired police officer. When his son is kidnapped, Rajinikanth transforms into an angry old man, putting an end to the sequences depicting his simple domestic life. From this point on, the film becomes engaging.

Nelson has crafted some remarkable sequences for Rajinikanth. The introduction of Yogi Babu's character and Rajinikanth's utilization of this comedic persona for his mission to avenge the mafia gang's actions deserve praise. The standout moment is the fight scene within Rajinikanth's house, where his wife and daughter-in-law sit at the dining table.

As the intermission arrives, the impression is that the film will offer another riveting experience akin to Kamal Haasan's blockbuster action thriller "Vikram." Such is the excellence of the first half. Nelson adeptly employs action, comedy, and family moments, and the interval climax generates immense excitement for the audience.

However, the second half of "Jailer" takes a contrasting direction from the first. It adopts the formulaic approach often seen in mass-entertainers. The film features conventional episodes, such as Rajinikanth's flashback as a jailer, a comedy segment involving Sunil and Tamannaah, Tamannaah's item song, extended fight sequences, and so forth.

Regrettably, these moments not only adhere to the formula but also become tedious. Despite Tamannaah's song "Kaavaalaa" gaining viral popularity on YouTube, its impact in the film is diminished because it's filmed on Sunil and Tamannaah instead of being a duet with Rajinikanth and Tamannaah.

Similarly, even the episodes featuring other superstars like Shiva Rajkumar and Mohanlal function as standard heroism-elevating scenes rather than advancing the plot.

Nonetheless, the climax of the second half serves as its redeeming feature.

In summary, "Jailer" starts strong but concludes with an unpredictable climax. It presents a regular action drama with an impressive beginning and a lack of impact in the second half but a hitting end.

Bottom line: Star-studded One Man Show

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Tags: Rajinikanth Jailer Jailer Review Jailer Movie Review Jailer Rating Jailer Movie Rating Jailer Telugu Movie Review

Jailer Movie Review: Nelson's 'Jailer' is yet another watered-down attempt at fan service, but Rajinikanth is solid and Vinayakan is superb

10 Aug 2023

Jailer Movie Cast & Crew

There's a galaxy of major and minor stars in Nelson's Jailer : Mohanlal, Shiva Rajkumar, Ramya Krishnan, Vasanth Ravi, Tamannaah, Marimuthu, Yogi Babu, VTV Ganesh, Jaffer Sadiq, Redin Kingsley… None of them makes an impression. If your response to this observation is to throw back your head and laugh… If you say, "This is a Rajinkanth movie, so who cares about anyone else"… If it's enough that we get callbacks to old films and old lines and old habits like smoking on screen… If all you seek is nostalgia, like Rajinikanth reuniting with his Uttar Dakshin costar Jackie Shroff… If all you want is a series of shots of Superstar looking stylish and cool, including one super-stylish and super-cool shot where we glimpse his booted feet through a half open door… Then read or listen no further. You don't need this review.

For the rest of us who like Rajinikanth but also want him in a movie worthy of his star stature and screen presence… For those of us who have been waiting since Karthik Subbaraj's Petta for Superstar to be presented to us by a director with a unique voice… For those of us who want a screenplay that's unpredictable, and not just a weakly written twist towards the end… For those of us who yearn for the dark-humoured Nelson of Kolamavu Kokila and Doctor and not the wishy-washy fan-service provider of Beast … For those of us who wonder why a Tihar Jail flashback that's meant to show the hero as menacing does the exact opposite… For those of us who demand proper punch lines and not silly references to dinosaurs… For those of us who are getting tired of three-hour films that don't bother to do anything exciting or new… For those of us who care about basic things like filmmaking rhythm and set pieces and a coherent screenplay and coherent characters… Well, Jailer is another missed opportunity.

In both Kolamavu Kokila and Doctor , Nelson established himself as a specialist in dark, deadpan humour. But that USP took a big backseat in Beast , which was more about action and other things, and it's even less visible in Jailer . The "jokes" are weak and watered down. Yogi Babu and VTV Ganesh get maybe one laugh each, but the entire spoof of southern heroes is a big waste of time. The bit about the villain's henchmen dancing to songs shot on heroines is so lame. And none of this is "dark" comedy, exactly – more like desperate comedy. This is what I think happened. Nelson dreamed up a damn good story about a retired jailer whose peace-loving facade hides a tough Baasha -like past. In other words, he dreamed up a very bloody and very violent movie, but was forced to make it warm and cuddly because… "family audiences".

Rajinikanth is in fine form, doing what he does best against the backdrop of Anirudh's background score. The interval point is not pushed enough, but it's not bad either. But there are passages where we see what this film could have been had it not had to pander to star image: say, during a scene where two drunk men follow the Rajinikanth character. I did not see that payoff coming. And heck, there's a sword attack on a child and bodies being dissolved in acid. But most of the menace is handled by Vinayakan, who is superb as the villain. The cinematographer Vijay Kartik Kannan shoots the actor in warm, bronze tones and with many, many close-ups that make him seem like a maniacal head without a body. What a presence Vinayakan has, whether it's sitting cross-legged on a man he is killing or smoking on top of a barrel of acid! He deserved a better graph and Rajinikanth deserves a better movie.

Article 21 Movie Review

28 Jul 2023

Aachar & Co Movie Review

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Baradwaj Rangan

National Award-winning film critic Baradwaj Rangan, former deputy editor of The Hindu and senior editor of Film Companion, has carved a niche for himself over the years as a powerful voice in cinema, especially the Tamil film industry, with his reviews of films. While he was pursuing his chemical engineering degree, he was fascinated with the writing and analysis of world cinema by American critics. Baradwaj completed his Master’s degree in Advertising and Public Relations through scholarship. His first review was for the Hindi film Dum, published on January 30, 2003, in the Madras Plus supplement of The Economic Times. He then started critiquing Tamil films in 2014 and did a review on the film Subramaniapuram, while also debuting as a writer in the unreleased rom-com Kadhal 2 Kalyanam. Furthermore, Baradwaj has authored two books - Conversations with Mani Ratnam, 2012, and A Journey Through Indian Cinema, 2014. In 2017, he joined Film Companion South and continued to show his prowess in critiquing for the next five years garnering a wide viewership and a fan following of his own before announcing to be a part of Galatta Media in March 2022.

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Updated Aug 10, 2023, 14:41 IST

Jailer Movie Review: Rajinikanth, Even Without Physics-Defying Stunts, Delivers A Paisa Vasool Film

Jailer Movie Review: Storyline

Jailer movie review: performances and direction, jailer movie review: conclusion.

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Director Nelson confirms ‘Jailer 2’ with Rajinikanth

Without divulging much, the director stated that an update on the film will be out within a month’s time and the production house will announce it soon.

Published - September 02, 2024 01:54 pm IST

A still from ‘Jailer’ | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Looks like ‘Tiger’ Muthuvel Pandian is returning for another hukum . Rajinikanth’s hit 2023 film Jailer is getting a sequel and Nelson is all set to get back on the director’s seat to helm Jailer 2 .

While speculations of the sequel had been making rounds online, at a recent event, Nelson opened up about it for the first time. Without divulging much, the director stated that an update on the film will be out within a month’s time and the production house will announce it soon.

According to sources, the film’s script work has been completed and the announcement can be expected before the release of his upcoming film, Vettaiyan .

Produced by Kalanithi Maran’s Sun Pictures, Jailer became the highest-grossing Tamil film of 2023, the sixth-highest-grossing Indian film of 2023 and second highest-grossing Tamil film of all time.

The film had an ensemble cast featuring Vinayakan, Ramya Krishnan, Tamannaah, Vasanth Ravi, Yogi Babu, Mirnaa Menon and Sunil with cameos by Mohanlal, Shiva Rajkumar, Jackie Shroff, Kishore and Makarand Deshpande. The technical team consisted of composer Anirudh Ravichander, cinematographer Vijay Kartik Kannan and editor R Nirmal.

Recently, a three-part documentary series titled Jailer Unlocked premiered on Sun NXT and it documented the making of the film with Nelson, Anirudh and the rest of the cast and crew sharing about the process.

Meanwhile, Rajini seems to be in the busiest phase of his career in recent years. His film with Jai Bhim director TJ Gnanavel, Vettaiyan , is all set to hit theatres on October 10. The veteran actor is also working on Coolie which marks his first collaboration with Lokesh Kanagaraj. More details on Jailer 2 are expected soon.

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jailer movie review

Jailer is a critically acclaimed Indian film directed by Anurag Kashyap. The film stars Amitabh Bachchan, Aamir Khan, Manoj Bajpayee, Tabu, and Nawazuddin Siddiqui in pivotal roles. The film was released in May 2019 and it has been one of the most talked-about and critically acclaimed films of 2019. It tells the story of four prisoners in a jail and how their lives become intertwined with each other. The film also explores the themes of justice, guilt, and redemption.

Overview of the film

Jailer is a powerful drama that deals with complex themes of justice, guilt and redemption. The film is set in a prison and follows the lives of four inmates and their struggles to cope with life in prison. It explores the different ways in which these prisoners cope with their circumstances and how their lives become intertwined. The film also touches upon the theme of justice and how the judicial system works in India.

Plot Summary

Jailer follows the lives of four prisoners in a jail. They are all convicted of different crimes but have also been subjected to different forms of justice. The story focuses on the lives of these prisoners as they come to terms with their current situation. It also looks at how the judicial system in India works and how it affects the lives of prisoners.

The story starts with the arrival of Javed (Amitabh Bachchan), a retired judge, who is sent to investigate the death of a prisoner. Javed meets the other prisoners and starts to investigate. He soon discovers that the death is connected to a conspiracy involving the other prisoners, who are all connected in some way .

The story follows Javed as he delves deeper into the conspiracy and uncovers the truth. He discovers that the prisoners have been victims of a corrupt system and that they are all innocent. He also discovers that they are all connected in some way and that they have a common goal .

Jailer is an intense drama that examines the theme of justice, guilt, and redemption. It is powerful in its exploration of the flaws in the Indian judicial system and how it affects the lives of the prisoners. It is also effective in its exploration of the different ways in which the prisoners cope with their situation and how their lives become intertwined.

The film is driven by its characters and their struggles. It is well-acted and the performances of the cast are excellent. Amitabh Bachchan and Aamir Khan deliver powerful performances as Javed and the other prisoners respectively. The supporting cast is also good, with Manoj Bajpayee, Tabu, and Nawazuddin Siddiqui all delivering strong performances.

Direction and Cinematography

Jailer is beautifully shot and directed by Anurag Kashyap. He is able to capture the atmosphere of the prison and the emotions of the characters effectively. The cinematography is excellent and helps to create a powerful atmosphere for the film.

Acting and Characters

The performances of the cast are excellent. Amitabh Bachchan and Aamir Khan deliver powerful performances as Javed and the other prisoners respectively. The supporting cast of Manoj Bajpayee, Tabu, and Nawazuddin Siddiqui are all strong in their roles. The characters are well written and the actors are able to bring them to life effectively.

Music and Soundtrack

The music and soundtrack of Jailer are excellent. It is composed by Amit Trivedi and it helps to create a powerful atmosphere for the film. The music helps to convey the emotions of the characters and the atmosphere of the prison.

Impact and Legacy

Jailer is one of the most critically acclaimed films of 2019 and it has had a significant impact on Indian cinema. It is a powerful film that examines the flaws of the Indian judicial system and how it affects the lives of prisoners. The movie has also made an impact beyond India, as its themes are relevant to any society.

Jailer is a powerful drama that examines the flaws of the Indian judicial system and how it affects the lives of prisoners. The film is well-acted, and beautifully shot, and its soundtrack is excellent. It is a film that has had a significant impact on Indian cinema and its themes are relevant to any society. It is a powerful and thought-provoking film that should be seen by all.

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'Jailer 2' script work complete, Nelson Dilipkumar opens about his reunion with Rajinikanth

About the Author

The TOI Entertainment Desk is a dynamic and dedicated team of journalists, working tirelessly to bring the pulse of the entertainment world straight to the readers of The Times of India. No red carpet goes unrolled, no stage goes dark - our team spans the globe, bringing you the latest scoops and insider insights from Bollywood to Hollywood, and every entertainment hotspot in between. We don't just report; we tell tales of stardom and stories untold. Whether it's the rise of a new sensation or the seasoned journey of an industry veteran, the TOI Entertainment Desk is your front-row seat to the fascinating narratives that shape the entertainment landscape. Beyond the breaking news, we present a celebration of culture. We explore the intersections of entertainment with society, politics, and everyday life. Read More

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Jailer movie review & film summary (2023)
Jailer movie review & film summary (2023)
Jailer
Jailer
Jailer Movie Review: It's director Nelson's show in the first half
Jailer Movie Review: Tiger Muthuvel Pandiyan (Rajinikanth), a retired jailer, is a family man now. He spends his days making YouTube videos with his grandson, shopping for vegetables at the local ...
'Jailer' movie review: Rajinikanth and Nelson make a captivating
'Jailer' movie review: Rajinikanth, Nelson make a captivating comeback that majorly works Though far from perfect, the towering presence of Rajinikanth — along with Nelson's fortified ...
Jailer (2023)
Jailer: Directed by Nelson Dilipkumar. With Rajinikanth, Mohanlal, Shivarajkumar, Jackie Shroff. A retired jailer goes on a manhunt to find his son's killers. But the road leads him to a familiar, albeit a bit darker place. Can he emerge from this complex situation successfully?
Jailer review: Rajinikanth and Nelson Dilipkumar rediscover alchemy of
Jailer movie review: Nelson Dilipkumar film is Rajinikanth's version of Kamal Haasan's Vikram, but with a twist. Saying that doesn't take away anything from this fun-filled entertainer. Rating: 3.5 out of 5. Written by Kirubhakar Purushothaman Chennai | Updated: August 10, 2023 22:27 IST.
Jailer
Jailer is yet more of the same type of long-winded revenge action tale with fake-looking stunts, mediocre-to-bad acting, and an absurd plot that doesn't look believable. Full Review | Aug 15, 2023 ...
'Jailer' Review: Rajinikanth returns to supreme form in Nelson
3 out of 5 stars for 'Jailer'. Director Nelson Dilipkumar's 'Jailer', starring Rajinikanth, Vinayakan and Vasanth Ravi, is a proper paisa-vasool commercial entertainer. With solid performances and good camera work, 'Jailer' is strictly a theatre watch, says our review.
'Jailer' review: Rajinikanth roars back to form in this mass
Helmed by Nelson Dilipkumar, 'Jailer' is an absolute entertainer, with Rajinikanth commanding the screen with his singular presence. However, the movie's appeal hinges on individual perspectives. Those seeking logical coherence might find themselves disappointed. On the contrary, for those who embrace the movie's mass appeal and set aside the ...
'Jailer' Review: Rajinikanth Is Back in Complete, Majestic Form
Rajinikanth is back in full form in Jailer, a film that mixes mass appeal with intricate storytelling. Although the women in the film are mostly underdeveloped, the addition of Rajinikanth's ...
Rajinikanth's 'Jailer' film review: A glorious first half tapers off
Jailer 's first half suggests no dilution in the Nelson brand of filmmaking. In his fascinating world, when Muthuvel smiles, it's an expression of pain. When characters squeal in pain, it's ...
Jailer Movie Review
Our review: Parents say: Not yet rated Rate movie. Kids say: Not yet rated Rate movie. Directed by Nelson Dilipkumar, this Indian Tamil-language action comedy is full of violence and gore. Jailer hovers around themes of crime, revenge, and betrayal, with central character Muthuvel full of machoism as he sets off on a mission to exact punishment ...
Jailer (2023)
9/10. Exceptional! Mass Delivered! prasadsheshadri-778-945159 10 August 2023. Nelson, you've truly exceeded expectations with your latest film, "Jailer"! This movie takes a fresh approach to the thriller genre, blending it seamlessly with your characteristic humor that will leave the audience in stitches.
Jailer Movie Review: It Is Rajinikanth Looking At The ...
Jailer Movie Review: Star Performance. Rajinikanth can now cakewalk through the slow motions and antique ways of wearing glasses, folding legs, sitting, walking; the man even has a style to light ...
Jailer movie review: Superstar Rajinikanth, Mohanlal and ...
The ego, pride and even the arrogance that Muthuvel Pandian exudes in Jailer, seems like an unintentional or intentional call back to the superstar's popular movie Moondru Mugam (1982). Beyond that, he is Tiger Muthuvel Pandian.
Fans Share Awesome Reviews Of Rajinikanth's Jailer, Call It Remarkable
The movie "Jailer" is still doing well at the box office. Indiatoday's preliminary estimations state that on September 6, the movie made a net income of Rs. 1.30 crore in India. This brings the domestic box office's 28-day total to Rs 340.98 crore net. The movie had a 16.75 percent occupancy on September 6 in India.
Jailer Movie Review: An out and out Rajinikanth show with dynamic
Jailer Movie Review: Final Verdict: Jailer works, but in parts. When it's good, it's very good. But when it's bad, it just drags. Nelson succeeds in his attempt to celebrate the stardom of ...
Jailer Movie Review: Solid Start, Regular End
Jailer Review: Solid Start, Regular End. Cast: Rajnikanth, Mohan Lal, Jackie Shroff, Shiva Rajkumar, Sunil, Ramya Krishnan, Tamannaah, Yogi Babu and others. The recent speech by Rajinikanth, along with the trailer and songs, has collectively fueled the hype around "Jailer." The movie has garnered significant attention even in the absence of any ...
'Jailer' movie review and release LIVE Updates ...
Rajinikanth's film 'Jailer', directed by Nelson Dilip Kumar, was released worldwide in August, and the film occupied more than 95% of the screens in Tamil Nadu to have a record-breaking release.
Jailer Movie Review : Nelson's 'Jailer' is yet another watered-down
Jailer Movie Review: Nelson's 'Jailer' is yet another watered-down attempt at fan service, but Rajinikanth is solid and Vinayakan is superb 10 Aug 2023; 2:48 Hrs
Jailer movie review and release LIVE UPDATES: Rajinikanth-Nelson
Jailer has already achieved an impressive pre-booking total of Rs 14.18 crore in India, as reported by industry tracker Sacnilk. The Tamil version of the film has generated Rs 12.82 crore in revenue from the sale of 5,91,221 tickets, while its Telugu variant accumulated Rs 1.35 crore in advance bookings through the sale of 77,554 tickets, taking the grand total of tickets that flew off the ...
Jailer Movie Review, IMDP Ratings, Ratings. Rajinikanth, Tamannaah
Jailer Review, Rajinikanth's Jailer movie release and review updates: Thalaivar Rajinikanth's much awaited release, Jailer is now on the big screens near you and it has been released in a massive 900 theatres in Tamil Nadu.Directed by Nelson Dilipkumar, the movie is produced by Kalanithi Maran under the banner of Sun Pictures. The movie also features Mohanlal, Jackie Shroff, Ramya Krishnan ...
Jailer Movie Review Jailer imrating db public review reaction Jailer
Jailer Movie Review: Rajinikanth, Even Without Physics-Defying Stunts, Delivers A Paisa Vasool Film. Jailer Review, imdb Rating, Twitter and public Reviews Update: Planning to watch Rajinikanth's highly-anticipated film Jailer. Read our review first. The film stars Tamannaah Bhatia, Mohanlal, Jackie Shroff, and others apart from Rajinikanth.
Director Nelson confirms 'Jailer 2' with Rajinikanth
'Jailer' movie review: Rajinikanth, Nelson make a captivating comeback that majorly works. While speculations of the sequel had been making rounds online, at a recent event, Nelson opened up ...
jailer movie review
jailer movie review michael Send an email March 19, 2023. 0 3 minutes read. Jailer is a critically acclaimed Indian film directed by Anurag Kashyap. The film stars Amitabh Bachchan, Aamir Khan, Manoj Bajpayee, Tabu, and Nawazuddin Siddiqui in pivotal roles. The film was released in May 2019 and it has been one of the most talked-about and ...
'Jailer 2' script work complete, Nelson Dilipkumar opens about his
Nelson Dilipkumar is moving forward with Jailer 2 after the first film's huge success, grossing over Rs 650 crore and starring Rajinikanth. The script for the sequel is complete, with an official ...
Madea Goes To Jail (2009) : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming
Madea Goes To Jail (2009) Skip to main content. Ask the publishers to restore access to 500,000+ books. ... movies. Madea Goes To Jail (2009) Topics Popcorn Maker Item Size ... There are no reviews yet. Be the first one to write a review. 27 Views . 1 Favorite. DOWNLOAD OPTIONS ...