Rajinikanth – Artifex.News

No Dhanush vs Rajinikanth: ‘Om’ postponed to avert clash with ‘Jailer 2’

admin — Wed, 23 Sep 2026 14:16:00 +0000

FILE: Rajinikanth with Dhanush during the National Film Awards at Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi on October 25, 2021
| Photo Credit: KAMAL NARANG

This October, Tamil cinema was set to witness an epic box-office clash as Rajinikanth’s Jailer 2 and Dhanush’s Om: Chapter 1 were slated to release on October 15 and 16, respectively. However, on Wednesday (September 23), Dhanush released a statement announcing that the makers of Om have decided to postpone the film’s release out of respect for the superstar.

In a note posted on his social media handles, Dhanush wrote, “Our superstar, Rajinikanth sir, the man whom we have all admired and worshipped over the years has his film arriving on October 15th, 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.”

Further, the star revealed that since Suriya’s film Sceneis slated to release in theatres on November 6 for Deepavali, Om will defer its release until after Deepavali. “At the same time, we will not be arriving for Diwali this year either, as Suriya sir’s film has already been announced for the same 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,” read Dhanush’s note.

The star further said that a new release date for Om will be announced soon. Interestingly, this also averts a rare clash between Malayalam superstars Mammootty, who is part of Om, and Mohanlal, part of Jailer 2, at the Tamil box office.

OM – Chapter 1: Udhiram – The Blood Wood is directed by Rajkumar Periasamy of Amaran fame. The film also stars Sai Pallavi and Sreeleela in pivotal roles. With music scored by Sai Abhyankkar, the film has cinematography by Ezhil Arasu K and editing by R Kalaivanan. Shraddha Agarwal, Dhanush, and Azmat Jagmag produce the film under their Wunderbar Films and RTake Studios banners.

Jailer 2 is the most anticipated sequel to Rajinikanth’s 2023 film with director Nelson. The film stars SJ Suryah, Suraj Venjaramoodu and Vidya Balan, among others. Many actors from the first film are also expected to return in the sequel, which boasts a technical crew comprising music composer Anirudh Ravichander, cinematographer Vijay Kartik Kannan and editor R Nirmal. Produced by Sun Pictures, the film is set to release on October 15.

Published – September 23, 2026 07:46 pm IST

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When a Kerala Facebook collective brought Rajinikanth’s iconic Baashha roaring back in a throwback to analogue cinema

admin — Sat, 15 Aug 2026 05:16:00 +0000

A film reel of Baashha being brought ahead of the analogue screening at Kripa theatre at Kurumassery near Perumbavoor
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Before digital files replaced film reels and online bookings replaced queues at ticket counters, going to the movies was an experience in itself. Theatre Diaries, a collective formed by people associated with movie theatres, is bringing a slice of that lost era back to life with an analogue screening of Rajinikanth’s Baashha in Kerala.

The 1995 Tamil blockbuster, which took Rajinikanth’s stardom to another level, was screened at Kripa theatre in Kurumassery near Perumbavoor on August 5. But the screening was about more than the superstar or the film. It was an attempt to recreate the movie-going experience of the pre-digital era and draw attention to a fast disappearing world of film reels, projectors and theatre jobs.

The organisers went all out to recreate the atmosphere of the mid-1990s. Though the screening was free, complimentary passes were distributed at the ticket counter, with viewers queuing up to collect them. “We distributed complimentary passes through the ticket counter, where viewers queued up to collect them,” said Arun Arvind, manager of Kripa theatre and one of the 11 admins of the Facebook collective.

Film reel

Then came another throwback. The film reel was brought to the theatre on the back of a bicycle, a sight that would be unfamiliar to a generation used to digital projection. Theatre employees with decades of experience were also felicitated at the event, placing the spotlight on those who once kept the machines running and the shows going.

Getting the analogue screening up and running was no easy task. Theatre owner Anto Ilanjippilli made two analogue projectors available, one of which had to be restored with the help of a technician after days of work.

Interestingly, Baashha was not the collective’s first choice. Theatre Diaries had wanted to screen a Malayalam film but could not find a good-quality reel.

“We wanted to screen a Malayalam film but could not find a quality reel. In the analogue era, Malayalam films were mostly produced in Chennai, and original prints and negatives were often sold to labs and damaged due to lack of proper preservation,” said Prasob Nannammukku, one of the admins.

The difficulty in finding an old Malayalam print itself highlighted one of the concerns that Theatre Diaries wants to flag. As cinema moved to digital projection, old reels, projectors and the expertise needed to operate them gradually disappeared. So did several jobs associated with theatre operations.

Requests for more shows

The response to the first show has now prompted the collective to organise a repeat screening of Baashha at the same venue on August 16. Requests for another show have been pouring in, particularly from those who missed the weekday screening.

For Theatre Diaries, however, the screenings are only one part of a larger effort. The collective plans to organise more programmes around the history of theatres and the technological changes that have reshaped the industry.

“Families who flock to theatres during holidays for entertainment rarely think about those working behind the scenes, sacrificing time with their own families. Technology has taken a toll on theatre related livelihoods, with jobs and salaries steadily declining,” said Mr. Aravind.

The collective also has an archival ambition. It plans to create an extensive repository of theatres, including those that have shut down, documenting their history and evolution for future reference.

“The idea is to collect as much data as possible to serve as resource material for future studies on theatres,” said Mr. Nannammukku, who also writes weekly columns on the collective’s Facebook page.

A jubilant movie fan after collecting the pass from the ticket counter
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

A traditional projector that was used for the movie screening
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

Published – August 15, 2026 10:45 am IST

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Rajinikanth On Kerala’s Hema Committee Report

admin — Sun, 01 Sep 2024 15:55:06 +0000

(File)

Chennai:

Superstar Rajinikanth on Sunday said he was not aware of the Justice K Hema Committee and demands to set up a similar panel in Tamil Nadu.

When reporters asked him about the panel of the neighbouring state and several people demanding setting up in Tamil Nadu a panel like the Kerala’s Justice Hema Committee, he told reporters: “What? I am not aware of it, sorry.”

The Justice Hema committee was constituted by the Kerala government after the 2017 actress assault case, and its report disclosed instances of harassment and exploitation of women in the Malayalam cinema industry.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Rajinikanth, Tamil Nadu Minister Make Up After Spat

admin — Mon, 26 Aug 2024 09:14:41 +0000

Chennai:

Superstar actor Rajinikanth and Tamil Nadu Minister Durai Murugan patched up Monday – declaring each other “old friends” – after a spat over the former’s praise for Chief Minister MK Stalin and his handling “senior students who refuse to leave class”.

Rajinikanth’s comment was widely seen as a dig at veteran politicians within the ruling DMK, particularly those who appear reluctant to hand over to younger colleagues.

A more specific context may lie in rumours the Chief Minister’s son – Udhayanidhi Stalin – could soon be his father’s deputy, which will be the first step in a succession plan. The actor’s comments seemed to be a warning of a potential revolt when that happens.

This morning Rajinikanth told reporters, “Durai Murugan is my long-time friend. Whatever he says is not an issue… our friendship will always continue.”

The DMK leader was quick to respond; “I am also saying the same thing… no one should (see) our jokes as enmity. We will always be friends… like how we used to be.”

The spat broke Sunday after the actor’s comments at the launch of a book – about DMK legend and ex-Chief Minister MK Karunanidhi, Mr Stalin’s father – in Chennai.

Rajinikanth declared himself “astonished” by Mr Stalin’s handling of senior leaders.

“What is astonishing is how able Chief Minister MK Stalin handles senior students… for teachers, handling new students is easy. But old students are a challenge…”

“Here, they are not just old students, or failed students, but rank holders who refuse to leave class. Karunanidhi nurtured them from their younger years… and it is not easy to manage them. Durai Murugan was one such tough man (for) Karunanidhi…”

Both the Chief Minister and his son, Udhayanidhi, who came in for praise too after making the time-honoured switch (in Tamil Nadu) from cinema to politics, were present.

Durai Murugan, 86, who holds multiple portfolios, including Minerals and Mines, and Water Resources, hit back at Rajinikanth over “senior actors (who) continue to act (even) after losing teeth…” and so deny younger colleagues the big roles.

Rajinikanth was, at one point, widely expected to make a big-ticket entry into active politics, and was actively courted by several parties, including the BJP. In 2021, however, he backed out over health concerns and dissolved his fledgling Rajini Makkal Mandram.

READ | Rajinikanth Shuts Doors To Politics, Dissolves His Outfit

Nevertheless, he remains a hugely influential figure in Tamil society and politics, the latter of which is dominated by Dravidian parties, specifically the DMK and AIADMK.

Meanwhile, Udhayanidhi Stalin had a comment of his own to make.

Stalin Jr, who is the state’s Youth and Sports Development Minister, seemed to back Rajinikanth’s comment as he said “youth are ready and willing to join… we only have to give them space”.

With input from agencies

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