In the past few decades, Rajinikanth’s films have generally fallen into two categories. One is about a protagonist who loses everything and rebuilds his life, like in “Padayappa,” “Annamalai,” or “Muthu.” The other category follows the “Baashaa” template, where the protagonist has a mysterious past and emerges as a superhero when destiny calls. “Jailer” belongs to the latter category. Tiger Muthuvel Pandian, a lovable grandfather, spends his retirement making YouTube videos with his entitled brat grandson. His son, Arjun, an assistant commissioner of police, is on the trail of a mafia gang led by Varma. When Arjun goes missing after refusing to stop the investigation, Muthuvel Pandian takes matters into his own hands. He seeks help from friends from his jailer days, resulting in delightful cameos from superstars Shivarajkumar, Mohanlal, and Jackie Shroff. With these cameos, the film could have been named “Rajinikanth and Friends” because they create theatrical moments.
Jailer First Look Poster
While “Jailer” shares similarities with Kamal Haasan’s “Vikram,” it is not as gloomy as Lokesh Kanagaraj’s film. Nelson’s film doesn’t shy away from making fun of delicate situations because his primary goal is to keep us entertained. What’s impressive about “Jailer” is Nelson’s commitment to playing by the rules, even though it’s a “Superstar film.” Rajinikanth may be omnipotent, but Nelson sets boundaries for his character’s abilities. For example, Rajini could have easily been part of the entire Kaavaala song, dancing with Tamannaah, but he isn’t. Though he briefly shares the screen with Tamannaah, it’s all for a reason. Nelson goes further and humorously pokes fun at Rajinikanth’s superstardom. This light touch sets “Jailer” apart from a regular masala fest.
The Indian masala cinema genre, which is the lifeblood of the film industry, is often considered inferior to serious, issue-driven films. However, when done right, it can deliver an unparalleled experience. Nelson Dilipkumar reminded us of the alchemy of good masala films, particularly in Tamil cinema, with the de facto poster boy of Tamil masala films, Rajinikanth. Nelson has a deep respect for this genre, which has been missing in recent commercial films. He combines this respect with his deadpan humor in “Jailer,” creating a delectable experience.
Ironically, “Jailer” cannot be contained within a single genre, which is typical of masala films. However, the shift from one genre to another is distinct and interesting in this film. We start with a family drama, then move into a revenge saga, and finally, something unexpected happens that I won’t spoil. The surprises keep coming, along with enjoyable cameos. As Rajinikanth says in the film, “I am the king here. My words are the rules. And I will keep changing it on a whim.” It’s as if Nelson is telling us how he handles the film. The rules and genres of “Jailer” keep changing, but it’s pure entertainment, so we can’t complain.
Nelson deserves credit for the way he uses his supporting cast. He mostly employs them for humor and isn’t afraid to use them against the hero. Yogi Babu, Reddin Kingsley, and Jaffer Sadiq shine in Nelson’s films because the director knows how to utilize each of them. My personal favorite is Harshath, who plays one of Varman’s henchmen. Even in such a small role, he leaves a significant impact due to the eccentric nature of characters in Nelson’s universe. Additionally, Anirudh Ravichander’s incredible music, particularly “Hukum” and “Jujubee,” adds momentum to an already fast-paced film. Without Anirudh’s music, “Jailer” would lose half of its impact.
One glaring problem with the UA-certified “Jailer” is its violence. It’s a bloodbath, quite literally. The issue is not the violence itself, but rather the certification. The film should have received an A rating for its slash-and-splatter scenes. Nonetheless, “Jailer” is a wholesome entertainer that deserves recognition.