Rajinikanth's Jailer 2 has Raghava Lawrence watching it twice, celebrities celebrate blockbuster
Synopsis
Raghava Lawrence's second repeat viewing of Jailer 2 — and his comparison to Baashha — captures the film's impact more vividly than any box-office number. With Kamal Haasan, Dhanush, Riteish Deshmukh, Karthik Subbaraj and Lingusamy all declaring blockbuster within 48 hours, director Nelson Dilipkumar appears to have unlocked Rajinikanth's most celebrated mass-cinema register for the first time in decades.
Key Takeaways
Raghava Lawrence watched Jailer 2 for a second time on Saturday with actor S J Suryah , comparing it to Baashha .
The film, directed by Nelson Dilipkumar and produced by Sun Pictures , released on 15 October 2026 .
Kamal Haasan called it a 'superhit worldwide' on release day; director Nelson Dilipkumar responded publicly.
Dhanush attended the first-day first show and was the first celebrity to declare it a blockbuster.
Riteish Deshmukh posted twice on X — at interval and after the film — both times calling it a blockbuster.
Director Lingusamy called Jailer 2 the best use of Rajinikanth's aura in his 51-year career since Baadsha.
Actor and producer Raghava Lawrence on Saturday, 18 October 2026, revealed he was watching director Nelson Dilipkumar's Jailer 2 for the second time — this time alongside actor S J Suryah, who plays the antagonist in the film. Lawrence, a well-known devotee of Superstar Rajinikanth, shared his enthusiasm on X, saying the film had made him want to watch it on repeat, drawing a direct comparison to the iconic Baashha.
Lawrence's Post on X
In his post on X, accompanied by a photograph of himself with S J Suryah inside a theatre, Raghava Lawrence wrote: 'Watching #Jailer2 for the second time with @iam_SJSuryah brother! After Baashha, Jailer 2 has made me want to watch a movie on repeat just for Thalaivar's MASS moments! A big thanks to director @Nelsondilpkumar, producer @sunpictures Kalanithi Maran sir, and @anirudhofficial for giving Thalaivar's fans this MASS FEAST! My heartfelt wishes to the entire cast, crew, and technicians.' The Baashha comparison is significant — that 1995 film remains one of Rajinikanth's most celebrated works and a benchmark for fan frenzy.
Celebrities React Across the Country
The film, which released on 15 October 2026, has drawn praise from celebrities spanning the length of Indian cinema. Bollywood actor Riteish Deshmukh posted twice on X during and after the screening. At interval, he wrote: 'Watching Jailor 2 — its interval now — Maha Blockbuster ….. Rajni Sir's aura is on another level — Dir Nelson and the team — take a bow !!!!! Do yourselves a favour — watch the film — coz It's HUKUM — TIGER KA HUKUM.' After the credits rolled, Deshmukh added: 'B L O C K B U S T E R! Had such a great outing !!! I have clapped, whistled and cheered at every entry — it was a celebration in the theatre — superstardom thy name RAJNI sir …. #Jailer2.'
Kamal Haasan and Dhanush Lead Congratulations
Actor, producer and parliamentarian Kamal Haasan took to X on Thursday — the film's release day — to congratulate the team, writing in Tamil that Jailer 2 had emerged a 'superhit worldwide.' Director Nelson Dilipkumar promptly replied: 'Thank you so much @ikamalhaasan sir, for your kind words. Coming from a legend like you, it means a lot! #jailer2.' National Award-winning actor-director Dhanush, who watched the first-day first show, was among the earliest to react, writing: 'JAILER 2 is a MUST MUST MUST watch. BLOCKBUSTER. A FEAST for every Thalaivar fan.'
Industry Voices Across Tollywood, Bollywood and Beyond
Director Lingusamy noted on X: 'In Rajini's 51-year journey, I feel that after Baadsha, #Jailer2 is the film that has truly made the most of Rajini sir's aura, especially in the first half, which I can keep watching over and over again! The second half is a bonus.' Director Venkat Prabhu echoed similar sentiment: '#jailer2 is simply fire — Thalaiva @rajinikanth. Thank you @Nelsondilpkumar, @anirudhofficial and team!!! Whatta experience!' Director Karthik Subbaraj, who attended the first-day first show, highlighted the film's extraordinary ensemble, noting the rare gathering of Mithun Chakraborty, Mohanlal, Shivarajkumar, Jackie Shroff, Vidya Balan, and Hrithik Roshan in a single film. Actors Vishnu Vishal and Soori, as well as producer Nagavamsi, were also spotted at the premiere celebrations.
What This Signals for Rajinikanth's Box Office Run
The wave of celebrity endorsements, spanning Tamil, Hindi, and Malayalam film industries, reflects a level of cross-industry validation that is rare even by Rajinikanth's standards. With comparisons to Baashha appearing from multiple independent sources — Lawrence, Lingusamy, and others — the film appears to have rekindled a particular brand of mass-cinema euphoria. The coming weeks will test whether Jailer 2's theatrical run sustains its opening momentum.
Point of View
Surfacing independently from Raghava Lawrence and Lingusamy within 48 hours of release, is not mere hyperbole — it is a meaningful signal. Baashha is the cultural benchmark for Rajinikanth's mass-cinema identity, and matching it has eluded every subsequent attempt for three decades. What this wave of celebrity reaction also reveals is a cross-industry consensus that is unusual even for a Rajinikanth release: when Tamil, Hindi, and Malayalam film figures speak with one voice, the film is almost certainly trending far beyond its home market. The real measure will come in the second and third weekend holds, where genuine word-of-mouth separates opening-weekend spectacle from a sustained blockbuster run.
NationPress
17 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Raghava Lawrence watching Jailer 2 a second time?
Raghava Lawrence said on X that Jailer 2 had made him want to watch it on repeat purely for Rajinikanth's mass moments, comparing the experience to watching Baashha. He watched the film a second time with actor S J Suryah, who plays the film's antagonist.
When did Jailer 2 release and who directed it?
Jailer 2 released on 15 October 2026 and is directed by Nelson Dilipkumar. It is produced by Sun Pictures' Kalanithi Maran and features music by Anirudh Ravichander.
What did Kamal Haasan say about Jailer 2?
Kamal Haasan posted on X on release day calling Jailer 2 a 'superhit worldwide' and offering congratulations to Rajinikanth, director Nelson Dilipkumar, music composer Anirudh Ravichander, and the Sun Pictures team. Nelson Dilipkumar replied, thanking Haasan for his kind words.
Which Bollywood celebrities reacted to Jailer 2?
Riteish Deshmukh posted twice on X — once at interval calling it a 'Maha Blockbuster' and once after the film ended calling it a 'B L O C K B U S T E R.' Director Karthik Subbaraj also highlighted the film's ensemble cast, which includes Hrithik Roshan, Vidya Balan, Mohanlal, Mithun Chakraborty, Shivarajkumar, and Jackie Shroff.
How does Jailer 2 compare to Rajinikanth's earlier films?
Multiple filmmakers, including Raghava Lawrence and director Lingusamy, have independently compared Jailer 2 to Baashha (1995), widely regarded as one of Rajinikanth's definitive mass-cinema outings. Lingusamy described it as the best use of Rajinikanth's aura in his 51-year career since Baadsha.
