The iconic superstar Rajinikanth is set to dominate the big screen once again as director Nelson Dilipkumar officially announced Jailer 2 on the festive occasion of Pongal. Accompanied by a gripping promo, the announcement also confirmed Anirudh Ravichander as the film’s music composer.

This second installment follows the massive success of Jailer (2023), which became the second-highest-grossing film of Rajinikanth’s illustrious career and a milestone in Tamil cinema history.

Announcement promo

The promo, released on January 14, opens with director Nelson and composer Anirudh brainstorming a new script. Their discussion is interrupted by a sudden onslaught of bullets and chaos. Emerging from the fray is none other than Rajinikanth, exuding unmatched charisma in a blood-soaked white shirt, armed with a gun and sword. His fiery expression radiates both rage and pride, rekindling the energy that fans adored in the original film.

Star-studded  appearances

While the promo kept plot details under wraps, it confirmed Rajinikanth’s return as the retired Jailer. Industry buzz suggests that legendary actors Mohanlal and Shivaraj Kumar are likely to make special appearances, adding to the film’s grandeur.

The Director’s gratitude

Nelson took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to share his excitement, writing, “Immensely happy to announce my next film #Jailer2 with the one and only #Superstar #Thalaivar @rajinikanth sir and my favourite @sunpictures #Kalanithimaran sir and my dearest loving friend @anirudhofficial.”

Fan reactions

Fans were quick to celebrate the announcement, flooding social media with praise for the gripping promo and their anticipation for another blockbuster performance by Rajinikanth.

Box Office expectations

Following the original film’s unparalleled success, Jailer 2 is expected to replicate its predecessor’s record-breaking performance, cementing Rajinikanth’s status as the reigning king of Tamil cinema.

The film is anticipated to go on floors soon, with fans eagerly awaiting more updates on this much-awaited sequel.

Dominic Holland, Tom Holland’s father, has unveiled exclusive details regarding his son’s engagement to Zendaya, which the couple has largely kept under wraps. In a recent post on Patreon, Dominic confirmed that Tom proposed to Zendaya during a thoughtfully planned and intimate moment.

The engagement news follows Zendaya’s subtle hint at the Golden Globes on January 5, where she showcased a stunning 5-carat engagement ring.

In his January 10 post, Dominic shared insights into Tom’s preparation for the proposal, stating, “He had purchased a ring and spoken with her father to gain permission to propose. Tom had meticulously planned everything—when, where, how, what to say, and what to wear,” as reported by E! News.

The couple’s engagement captured significant public interest, especially after Zendaya was seen discreetly displaying her ring while responding with a casual shrug and smile when questioned directly about it.

Despite the ongoing public curiosity, both Zendaya and Tom have maintained a level of privacy concerning their personal lives.

Earlier, Zendaya had expressed how their relationship blossomed during the filming of Spider-Man, describing her connection with Tom as “strangely comfortable” and “like second nature.” She remarked, “I feel extra safe with the person you’re acting beside. I love working with him,” extolling his talent and passion for his craft.

In return, Tom has also praised Zendaya, stating, “I’m lucky that I have someone like Zendaya in my life.” He emphasized the unique dynamics of their romantic relationship, observing, “It’s interesting being in a relationship with someone who shares similar experiences. You can exchange your stories, and that connection is invaluable.”

Jaideep Ahlawat’s career can be divided into two distinct phases: before “Paatal Lok” and after. Since the web series premiered on May 15, 2020, Ahlawat has faced daily inquiries about its anticipated second season.

Before “Paatal Lok,” he had already established himself as a reliable actor with notable performances in films like “Gangs of Wasseypur,” “Khatta Meetha,” “Vishwaroopam,” and “Raazi.” However, “Paatal Lok” catapulted him to fame overnight when it debuted on Prime Video during the pandemic. The show garnered widespread acclaim, including recognition from industry stalwarts like Manoj Bajpayee and Aamir Khan, who praised his portrayal of Hathiram Chaudhary, a fatigued Delhi Police officer tasked with a high-stakes investigation in the first season.

Ahlawat remarked, “Everything changed after May 15, 2020. I genuinely haven’t had a single day in the last four years without someone asking me about ‘Paatal Lok 2.’ Whether in person, on social media, or through messages, the inquiries never stopped.” He further explained that when he posts anything online, he receives numerous comments asking, “When is season two of ‘Paatal Lok’ coming?” He humorously noted that while he wasn’t exhausted by the questions, he often had to reply, “It will be out soon.”

In the first season of “Paatal Lok,” directed by Avinash Arun Dhaware and Prosit Roy, Ahlawat’s character was pivotal in investigating the assassination attempt on a popular TV journalist, portrayed by Neeraj Kabi. Reflecting on his career progression, Ahlawat shared that after the show’s success, he received an uplifting call from Bajpayee, who expressed that watching Ahlawat inspired him like attending a rejuvenating workshop.

“I was deeply moved and could only respond with a heartfelt ‘Thank you.’ Such acknowledgement can come only from someone who understands cinema well,” expressed Ahlawat, who had previously worked with Bajpayee in “Gangs of Wasseypur.”

In a separate interaction, Aamir Khan reached out to Ahlawat via video call, eager to learn about his preparation for the role. Ahlawat recalled being surprised by Khan’s interest, saying, “When someone like Aamir sir, renowned for his method acting, seeks your insight, what can you say, except share your experience?”

The success of “Paatal Lok” opened many doors for Ahlawat, leading to roles in the ZEE5 series “The Broken News” and films such as “An Action Hero,” “Three of Us,” “Jaane Jaan,” and “Maharaj,” which marked the acting debut of Khan’s son, Junaid. Ahlawat noted that he hasn’t taken a “single holiday” over the past four years due to a flurry of projects. “Touchwood, it’s encouraging. A wealth of compelling stories has come my way, and I’ve collaborated with numerous talented individuals. Some films have been released, while more are on the cusp this year, especially with ‘Paatal Lok 2’ kicking off this promising start.”

Scheduled to premiere on January 17 on Prime Video, the second season of “Paatal Lok” has Ahlawat returning as Hathiram, who will uncover a new mystery set in Nagaland. As part of his preparation, Ahlawat rewatched the first season to reconnect with his character’s history, particularly his relationship with rookie cop Imran Ansari (Ishwak Singh), who will now assume a more senior role.

Ahlawat described the writing process for the new season as initially confusing due to its intricate subplots. “What intrigued me was that when I first read it, I struggled to comprehend it. I felt that I needed to physically be in Nagaland to truly understand the characters and their context,” he explained.

Another challenge he faced involved gaining approximately 20 kg to authentically portray the middle-aged, weary cop, transitioning from the lean physique he had for his previous film “Maharaj.” He elaborated, “When you gain weight, your body responds in various ways. You stop exercising, your joints begin to ache, and you feel the weight. Sleeping positions change and your breathing can become heavier, yet mentally, you find satisfaction—it’s quite an interesting phase.”

Ahlawat will also soon share screen time with Bajpayee in the third season of the Prime Video series “The Family Man.” He noted the experience of working with Bajpayee as an enriching opportunity. “Collaborating with great actors elevates your performance naturally. We have limited scenes together, but they are intricately written. I hope future seasons build upon this quality. He is undoubtedly one of our finest actors.”

Looking ahead, Ahlawat has several exciting projects lined up, including a neo-noir thriller titled “Jewel Thief” alongside Saif Ali Khan, Sriram Raghavan’s war drama “Ikkis,” “Hisab” reuniting him with his “Three of Us” co-star Shefali Shah, and Aanand L Rai’s production “Hawai Fire.” The actor expressed a desire for better work-life balance, stating, “I got caught up in the midst of shooting for four projects across different locations, which was quite hectic. I hope to avoid that situation in the future.”