Jailer 2 earns 3/5: Rajinikanth’s swagger carries a thin sequel

Verdict first: a watchable 3/5

Rajinikanth is back as Tiger Muthuvel Pandian in Jailer 2, the follow-up to his 2023 hit. The film opened on October 15, 2026, and 123telugu’s review lands on a 3/5: an enjoyable ride lifted by the superstar’s presence, but let down by a thin plot and a stretched second half.

The setup pulls Muthuvel Pandian out of a quiet life after Varma’s death puts him in the crosshairs of smuggling syndicates. He goes hunting for the network’s masterminds, which sounds promising, but the review says the structure feels very close to the first film.

What works: Rajini’s style and the first-half laughs

Rajinikanth does not rewrite his playbook. The walk, the slow removal of the glasses, the commanding screen presence still get a reaction. Namo Narayana anchors much of the first half with deadpan comedy, playing a man who acts like the boss even when he isn’t, and his scenes with Rajinikanth land in Nelson Dilipkumar’s signature tone. Yogi Babu chips in too.

SJ Suryah is dependable as the antagonist, though the review says it is familiar territory for him. Vidya Balan, as his sister, is a pleasant surprise in a negative role. Suraj Venjaramoodu is equally convincing. Anirudh Ravichander’s background score is loud and effective, and bringing back the original Jailer theme helps the mood.

What doesn’t: a stretched runtime and cameos that fizzle

The biggest problem is the writing. The film appears built around hero moments rather than a strong story, and the second half sags between set pieces. At nearly three hours, a tighter edit would have helped considerably.

The starry cameos underdeliver here:

• Mohanlal appears only twice
• Shiva Rajkumar gets around ten minutes
• Jackie Shroff and Mithun Chakraborty have very little to do
• Hrithik Roshan’s introductory sequence leaves little impact

Namo Narayana’s reduced presence in the second half also affects momentum.

Should you book a ticket?

If you are watching mainly for Rajinikanth’s signature style and the first-half comedy, there is enough to enjoy. If you need a fresh story or meaningful cameos, keep expectations modest. The review calls it a “decent watch” and notes the climax sets up the next chapter reasonably well.

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