Jailer 2: Apeksha Porwal on what Rajinikanth taught her about commercial cinema
Synopsis
Apeksha Porwal's time on the sets of Jailer 2 wasn't just a career milestone — it was a lesson in what separates a superstar from everyone else. Working alongside Rajinikanth, she says, taught her that understanding your audience and owning your style in every detail is what makes a commercial film truly resonate.
Key Takeaways
Apeksha Porwal reveals the core lesson she took from working with Rajinikanth on Jailer 2 .
Rajinikanth taught her the importance of understanding scale, style, and audience in a commercial film.
She noted that the superstar embeds his signature style into even the smallest details of his performance.
The cast also includes Mithun Chakraborty , Vidya Balan , and Ramya Krishnan , whom Apeksha described as 'wonderful and humble.' Apeksha observed that established stars tend to be simpler and kinder in real life — a recurring theme on the Jailer 2 set.
Actress Apeksha Porwal, who features in the highly anticipated Jailer 2 alongside Superstar Rajinikanth, has opened up about the most valuable lesson she took away from working with the Tamil cinema icon — a masterclass in understanding scale, audience, and style.
What Rajinikanth Taught Her
In a candid interaction, Apeksha explained that working on a commercial film of Jailer 2's magnitude fundamentally shifted her perspective as an actor. 'I wouldn't say that I followed his style, but I learned that when you are doing a commercial film of this scale, it is important to understand the style and presentation that the film demands. When you work on a content-driven film, it is a completely different space,' she said.
She elaborated that Rajinikanth — known affectionately as Thalaiva — possesses an extraordinary grasp of his audience. 'He brings his signature style into even the smallest details. It may not always be immediately noticeable, but you can still recognise that it is Rajini sir's style,' Apeksha noted.
The Core Takeaway for Every Actor
Beyond technique, Apeksha said the experience reinforced a broader lesson about an actor's self-awareness. Working closely with Rajinikanth taught her that understanding the kind of film you are making — and who you are making it for — is as crucial as the performance itself. She added that an actor must also think deliberately about how to bring their own distinct style into that given space without losing sight of what the project demands.
On Working With the Ensemble Cast
The Jailer 2 cast also includes stalwarts such as Mithun Chakraborty, Vidya Balan, and Ramya Krishnan. Apeksha called the experience of working alongside them 'amazing', and reflected on the warmth they brought to the set. 'Everyone, whether it is Mithun sir, Rajini sir, Vidya ma'am or Ramya Krishnan ma'am, is such a wonderful and humble person. They make you feel completely at ease,' she said.
She added an observation that struck her deeply: 'I feel the more dignified and established people are, the simpler and kinder they are in real life. They are genuinely amazing people to work with.'
About Jailer 2
Jailer 2 is one of the most eagerly watched Tamil productions in recent memory, riding on the enormous fanbase of Rajinikanth. The film brings together a cross-industry ensemble, blending commercial spectacle with the star power of multiple generations of Indian cinema. As pre-release buzz builds, Apeksha's insights offer a rare behind-the-scenes glimpse into how the superstar operates on a large-scale set.
Point of View
If at all. That Rajinikanth, at his stage of career, still consciously calibrates style to audience says something about why his mass appeal has endured across decades. For younger actors entering big-budget productions, this is perhaps the most transferable insight from the Jailer 2 set.
NationPress
14 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Apeksha Porwal learn from working with Rajinikanth on Jailer 2?
Apeksha Porwal said she learned that in a large-scale commercial film, it is crucial to understand the style and presentation the film demands, and to know your audience. She also observed that Rajinikanth embeds his signature style into even the smallest details of his performance.
Who else is in the cast of Jailer 2?
Besides Rajinikanth and Apeksha Porwal, Jailer 2 features Mithun Chakraborty, Vidya Balan, and Ramya Krishnan. Apeksha described all of them as 'wonderful and humble' people who made her feel at ease on set.
What did Apeksha Porwal say about Rajinikanth's understanding of his audience?
She said Rajinikanth has a tremendous understanding of who he is presenting his work to, and that his signature style is woven into even minor details — sometimes not immediately obvious, but always recognisable as distinctly his own.
How did Apeksha Porwal describe working with established stars on Jailer 2?
She called the experience 'amazing' and noted that the more dignified and established the actors were, the simpler and kinder they turned out to be in real life — a quality she found consistent across the film's senior cast members.
