Jailer
Jailer is a 2023 Indian Tamil-language action comedy film directed by Nelson Dilipkumar and produced by Kalanithi Maran under Sun Pictures.[1] The story centers on Muthuvel "Tiger" Pandian, a retired jailer played by Rajinikanth, who must confront a ruthless crime boss, Varman, after his son is murdered amid a web of antique smuggling and gang violence.[2] Production and CastFilming for Jailer began in 2022, with principal photography taking place across locations in India, emphasizing high-octane action sequences and the star power of its lead.[2]
The ensemble cast includes notable performers such as Mohanlal, Shiva Rajkumar, and Jackie Shroff in key supporting roles, alongside Tamannaah Bhatia, Ramya Krishnan, and Vinayakan as the antagonist Varman.[3][1]
Anirudh Ravichander composed the film's soundtrack and background score, featuring energetic tracks like "Kaavaalaa" that became chart-toppers and enhanced the movie's mass appeal.[4] Release and Reception
Released theatrically on 10 August 2023 in standard and IMAX formats, Jailer was distributed worldwide by Red Giant Movies and Lyca Productions in various languages, including dubbed versions in Hindi, Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam.[5][1]
Critics praised Rajinikanth's commanding performance, Dilipkumar's blend of humor and action, and the film's technical aspects, though some noted its lengthy runtime and occasional tonal inconsistencies.[2]
Commercially, it emerged as a blockbuster, amassing a worldwide gross of est. ₹605–650 crore, making it the second highest-grossing Tamil film of 2023 and one of Rajinikanth's biggest hits.[6][7] The film's success prompted a sequel, Jailer 2, announced in 2024 and scheduled for release on 12 June 2026.[8]