Dhanush postpones 'Om' release to avoid clash with Rajinikanth's 'Jailer 2'
Synopsis
Dhanush has stepped back from a high-stakes box-office collision, voluntarily postponing 'Om' out of respect for Rajinikanth's 'Jailer 2' — and for Suriya's Diwali release. With a personal history linking him to the Rajinikanth family, this is one of Tamil cinema's more loaded release-date decisions in recent memory.
Key Takeaways
Dhanush announced the postponement of 'Om' on Wednesday, 23 September via a post on X .
The film had been scheduled for 16 October , a day after Rajinikanth's 'Jailer 2' on 15 October .
Dhanush also ruled out a Diwali release, deferring to Suriya's already-announced date.
Dhanush was previously married to Aishwarya Rajinikanth , daughter of the Tamil star, adding a personal dimension to the decision.
A new release date for 'Om' will be announced “very soon”, according to Dhanush.
Tamil star Dhanush has announced the postponement of his upcoming film 'Om', stepping aside to avoid a box-office clash with Rajinikanth's 'Jailer 2', which is slated for 15 October. The actor shared the update on Wednesday via his official X (formerly Twitter) account, citing deep respect for the Tamil cinema legend as the primary reason for the decision.
What Dhanush Said
In a candid post addressed to fans and the industry, Dhanush explained the reasoning behind the move. “In times like these, shifting the release of a film comes with its own set of challenges. Our superstar, Rajinikanth sir, the man whom we have all admired and worshipped over the years has his film arriving on October 15, just a day before ours. Out of immense respect for him, we have decided to postpone the release of our film, OM, to a later date,” he wrote.
Dhanush also ruled out a Diwali release window, noting that Suriya's film had already been announced for that date. “In all fairness, they announced their date first, and we strongly believe that big films should have a mutual understanding and respect each other’s decisions, keeping the larger welfare of cinema and the industry in mind. We will announce our new release date very soon,” he added.
The Personal Dimension
The decision carries an added layer of significance given that Dhanush was previously married to Aishwarya Rajinikanth, the daughter of the superstar. While Dhanush has framed the move purely as a gesture of professional respect, the personal history between the families makes this a notably gracious act that goes beyond standard industry courtesy.
About 'Jailer 2'
'Jailer 2' is the highly anticipated sequel to the 2024 blockbuster 'Jailer', in which Rajinikanth played a retired jailer who dismantles an organised artifact-smuggling syndicate by activating a vast criminal network built on his own moral authority. The sequel arrives with enormous commercial expectations, making it one of the biggest Tamil releases of the year.
Industry Context
Voluntary date shifts to avoid clashing with a senior star's film are relatively uncommon in Tamil cinema, where festival windows are fiercely contested. Dhanush's move is being widely read as a signal of how seriously he takes collegial relationships — and a recognition that a direct head-to-head with Rajinikanth rarely benefits the challenger. A new release date for 'Om' is expected to be announced shortly.
Point of View
But it leaves 'Om' without a confirmed date in a competitive calendar. More broadly, this episode reflects a quiet industry norm: in Tamil Nadu, you do not take on Rajinikanth at the box office unless you are prepared for the consequences. That norm has survived even the superstar's advancing years and mixed recent results.
NationPress
23 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why has Dhanush postponed the release of 'Om'?
Dhanush postponed 'Om' to avoid a box-office clash with Rajinikanth's 'Jailer 2', which is set for release on 15 October — just one day before 'Om' was originally scheduled. He cited deep personal and professional respect for Rajinikanth as the reason.
When was 'Om' originally supposed to release?
'Om' was originally set for release on 16 October 2026. Dhanush has not yet announced a new date but said it will be confirmed 'very soon'.
Will 'Om' release on Diwali instead?
No. Dhanush has also ruled out a Diwali release, as Suriya's film had already been announced for that date. He said it would be unfair to encroach on a date that was claimed first.
What is 'Jailer 2' about?
'Jailer 2' is the sequel to the 2024 Tamil blockbuster 'Jailer', in which Rajinikanth played a retired jailer who brings down an artifact-smuggling syndicate. The sequel carries significant commercial expectations as one of the biggest Tamil releases of the year.
What is the personal connection between Dhanush and Rajinikanth?
Dhanush was previously married to Aishwarya Rajinikanth, the daughter of the Tamil cinema legend, before the couple separated. This family history gives his public show of respect an added personal dimension beyond standard industry protocol.
