The story of “Jailer” revolves around Tiger Muthuvel Pandian, an ex-jailer portrayed by the legendary Rajinikanth. Fueled by a deep sense of vengeance, Tiger sets out on a mission to seek retribution for the brutal killing of his son, ACP Arjun, by a notorious gang involved in the illegal trading of ancient temple artifacts. However, Tiger’s quest for justice takes an unexpected turn as he encounters numerous challenges and obstacles along the way, putting not only his own life at risk but also the lives of his beloved family members – Vijaya, played by the talented Ramya Krishnan, his determined daughter-in-law Shwetha, portrayed by the captivating Mirnaa Menon, and his adorable granddaughter Rithvik.
As the plot unfolds, Tiger finds himself embroiled in a web of deceit and treachery, discovering that the gang responsible for his son’s murder is more powerful and elusive than he had initially anticipated. With time running out and the safety of his family hanging in the balance, Tiger must rely on his intelligence, cunning, and sheer willpower to overcome the odds stacked against him. Throughout his journey, Tiger receives invaluable assistance from his trusted old allies, Mathew (played by the versatile Mohanlal), Narasimha (portrayed by the charismatic Shiva Rajkumar), and the enigmatic Jackie Shroff, each lending their unique skills and expertise to help propel Tiger closer to his ultimate goal of securing justice.
There is no other Indian actor who can beat Rajinikanth when it comes to sophisticated screen presence. Rajinikanth’s performance as the extremely restrained Muthuvel Pandian was quite pleasant to witness, and the change happening through dark humour was also incredibly entertaining to behold. Even though he is 72 years old, no one would dare challenge him when he pulls a gun, lights up, shakes a leg, or even just dons his signature spectacles and ties his shoelace.
Ramya Krishna provided Rajinikanth with capable backing, while Vasanth Ravi was good. Even though the part essentially follows a formula, Vinayakan gives the villain’s persona a terrifying atmosphere. Jailer makes superb use of Rajinikanth’s comic timing, and his interactions with Yogi Babu were amusing. Cameo appearances by well-known actors like Shivarajkumar, Mohanlal, Jackie Shroff, Tamannaah Bhatia, Sunil, and Kishore raise the star factor.
Jailer, a crime thriller directed by Nelson, takes audiences on a rollercoaster ride of suspense and action. Jailer gets straight going without wasting any time. Rajini appears as a straightforward family man. The storyline of the hero’s kid being a good person who has troubles is as ancient as the hills. The Jailer’s narrative is around the way the hero seizes power to defend his family and exact revenge.
The film kicks off with an explosive first half, keeping viewers on the edge of their seats with its gripping storyline and well-executed interval block. The interval block, in particular, is flawlessly executed, leaving audiences eagerly awaiting the second half. It’s praiseworthy that Yogi Babu’s character was introduced and that Rajinikanth used this comic persona to further his goal of exacting revenge on the mafia gang.
However, as the film progresses after the interval, it loses some of its initial momentum. The pacing becomes uneven, and certain plot points feel rushed or underdeveloped. While Rajinikanth’s commanding presence continues to carry the film, some aspects of the story could have been further explored and fleshed out to make a stronger impact. Despite its flaws in the latter half, Jailer remains a respectable effort that showcases Rajinikanth’s acting prowess and charisma.
The fight sequence that takes place inside Rajinikanth’s home, where his wife and daughter-in-law are seated at the dining room table, is the film’s outstanding moment.
While Rajinikanth’s performance in “Jailer” is a plus, Anirudh Ravichander also contributes significantly to the movie’s success. You’ll love Rajinikanth’s swag after you hear his thunderous background music. The vast and visually spectacular pictures of cinematographer Vijay Kartik Kannan are impressive. R Nirmal’s editing enhances the ambiance of the movie as well.
Overall, Nelson’s film Jailer gives an entertaining cinematic experience, especially in the first half. While it may have faltered slightly in the second half, it is still worth watching for Rajinikanth’s charismatic screen presence and some of the thrilling moments laced with comedy that will keep you entertained.