Kamal Haasan congratulates Rajinikanth as Jailer 2 opens to blockbuster reviews
Synopsis
Jailer 2 opened to a blockbuster first day — and the entire Tamil film industry showed up to say so. From Kamal Haasan penning a heartfelt congratulatory note in Tamil to Dhanush's emphatic 'Must Must Must Watch', the response underscores just how large the Rajinikanth phenomenon still looms, with director Karthik Subbaraj noting that the film's ensemble of pan-India superstars makes it a unique event in the superstar's 51-year career.
Key Takeaways
Kamal Haasan congratulated Rajinikanth and the Jailer 2 team on X on 15 October 2026 , calling the film a worldwide superhit.
Director Nelson Dilipkumar responded to Kamal Haasan's post, calling it meaningful 'coming from a legend.' Dhanush watched the first-day first show and declared Jailer 2 a 'MUST MUST MUST watch — BLOCKBUSTER.' Director Lingusamy ranked Jailer 2 alongside Baadsha as the film that best captures Rajinikanth's aura in his 51-year career.
The film features an ensemble cast including Mithun Chakraborty , Mohanlal , Hrithik Roshan , Vidya Balan , and Shiva Rajkumar , produced by Sun Pictures .
Actor, producer and parliamentarian Kamal Haasan on Thursday, 15 October 2026, congratulated his close friend Rajinikanth after the superstar's much-awaited film Jailer 2 opened to blockbuster reviews and strong box-office numbers worldwide on its first day of release. The warm gesture drew an equally warm response from the film's director, setting off a wave of celebrity reactions across X.
Kamal Haasan's Message and the Director's Response
Writing in Tamil on his X timeline, Kamal Haasan said: 'News has come in that Jailer 2, starring my dear friend Rajinikanth, which released today has emerged a superhit worldwide. Heartfelt congratulations to my friend Rajinikanth, director @Nelsondilpkumar, music composer @anirudhofficial, and the @sunpictures team.'
Director Nelson Dilipkumar responded swiftly, writing: 'Thank you so much @ikamalhaasan sir, for your kind words. Coming from a legend like you, it means a lot! #jailer2.' The exchange between two of Tamil cinema's most respected figures quickly went viral.
Dhanush Calls It a 'Must Must Must Watch'
National Award-winning actor, director and producer Dhanush was among the first to catch the first-day first show of Jailer 2. Taking to his X timeline, he wrote: 'JAILER 2 is a MUST MUST MUST watch. BLOCKBUSTER. A FEAST for every Thalaivar fan.' His post, accompanied by a string of fire emojis, amplified early word-of-mouth ahead of the morning multiplex rush.
Industry Pours In with Praise
Director Lingusamy, writing on X, offered a more analytical take: 'In Rajini's 51-year journey, I feel that after Baadsha, Jailer 2 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.' He extended congratulations to the entire team including SJ Suryah, music composer Anirudh Ravichander, and production house Sun Pictures.
Director Venkat Prabhu called Jailer 2 'simply fire', adding, 'Thalaiva @rajinikanth. Whatta experience!' Director Karthik Subbaraj was equally effusive, writing: 'Thalaivar sets the screen on Wild Wild Fire. Can't take my eyes off him... Goosebumps Overloaded Mass Blast.' Subbaraj also highlighted the film's ensemble star power, noting the presence of Mithun Chakraborty, Mohanlal, Shiva Rajkumar, Jackie Shroff, Vidya Balan, and Hrithik Roshan — all appearing alongside Rajinikanth.
Stars Spotted at First-Day Shows
Actors Vishnu Vishal and Soori, director Karthik Subbaraj, and producer Nagavamsi were among the prominent names spotted at first-day first shows across Chennai. The theatre atmosphere, by all accounts, was electric — a reflection of the long anticipation that had built around the sequel to the 2023 original.
What This Means for Tamil Cinema
Jailer 2's opening-day momentum underlines that the Rajinikanth brand continues to command unmatched theatrical pull, particularly in Tamil Nadu and among the South Indian diaspora worldwide. The multi-star ensemble, directed by Nelson Dilipkumar with music by Anirudh Ravichander and produced by Sun Pictures, had been positioned as one of the biggest Tamil releases of the year. Early indicators suggest it is living up to that billing. With international numbers already pointing to a global superhit, trade analysts will be watching the film's first-weekend collections closely.
Point of View
A 1995 film widely regarded as peak commercial Rajinikanth. That a director places a 2026 release in that company speaks to how Nelson Dilipkumar has deployed the superstar's persona rather than merely banking on it. The ensemble of pan-Indian stars is a deliberate statement about Tamil cinema's appetite for scale, yet the consensus review insists the film's first half, and Rajinikanth himself, remain the main event. Whether Day 1 euphoria translates into a sustained box-office run will depend on the second weekend, when word-of-mouth either compounds or corrects.
NationPress
15 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Kamal Haasan say about Jailer 2?
Kamal Haasan wrote on X in Tamil, calling Jailer 2 a worldwide superhit and offering heartfelt congratulations to Rajinikanth, director Nelson Dilipkumar, music composer Anirudh Ravichander, and the Sun Pictures team. Director Nelson Dilipkumar responded, saying the praise meant a lot 'coming from a legend.'
What did Dhanush say about Jailer 2?
Dhanush, who attended the first-day first show, called Jailer 2 a 'MUST MUST MUST watch' and a 'BLOCKBUSTER — A FEAST for every Thalaivar fan' in a post on X. He was among the earliest prominent voices to amplify the film's positive word-of-mouth.
Who are the stars appearing in Jailer 2 alongside Rajinikanth?
Jailer 2 features an extensive ensemble cast including Mithun Chakraborty, Mohanlal, Shiva Rajkumar, Jackie Shroff, Vidya Balan, Hrithik Roshan, and SJ Suryah alongside Rajinikanth. The film is directed by Nelson Dilipkumar, with music by Anirudh Ravichander, and produced by Sun Pictures.
How significant is Jailer 2 in Rajinikanth's career, according to early reviews?
Director Lingusamy, writing on X, placed Jailer 2 alongside Baadsha as the film that has best utilised Rajinikanth's on-screen aura in his 51-year journey. He specifically praised the first half, saying he 'can keep watching it over and over again.'
When did Jailer 2 release and how has it performed on Day 1?
Jailer 2 released on Thursday, 15 October 2026, and opened to a strong first day with overwhelmingly positive reviews. Early social media reactions from celebrities and fans described the film as a worldwide superhit and blockbuster, with packed theatres reported across Tamil Nadu and internationally.
