Rajinikanth and Mithun Chakraborty share a friendship that stretches back several decades, having previously collaborated on films across industries. Their reunion in a Tamil action entertainer has now offered the Jailer actor an amusing anecdote about how their personal equation briefly complicated the casting process.
Speaking at the Jailer 2 Super Show, Rajinikanth revealed that Mithun initially turned down the offer to play the antagonist in Nelson's directorial. According to Rajinikanth, Mithun was reluctant to take on a role that would require him to be at the receiving end of the Superstar’s action sequences. “Me playing Rajini’s villain? Should I take beatings from Rajinikanth? Not a chance, I am not doing it,” Rajinikanth recalled his friend saying.
The situation changed when the two actors met at the WAVES Summit, where Mithun told Rajinikanth that he would consider the film if the superstar wanted him to be part of it. He, however, had one condition: “You should neither beat me up nor shoot me.” Rajinikanth said he agreed to check with director Nelson before getting back to his friend, although he initially assumed Mithun was making the request in jest.
The anecdote adds a personal dimension to the casting of Jailer 2, which brings together several prominent names from Indian cinema. Mithun and Rajinikanth first worked together in Ramesh Sippy’s Hindi film Bhrashtachar (1989). Rajinikanth later made a special appearance in the Bengali film Bhagya Debata (1995), headlined by Mithun. Their upcoming collaboration marks another reunion after a considerable gap.
Mithun made his Tamil debut with Yagavarayinum Naa Kaakka (2015), but had not appeared in another Tamil film since. His inclusion in Jailer 2 marks his return to the industry, this time opposite Rajinikanth. The film also brings together three Dadasaheb Phalke Award recipients, Rajinikanth, Mithun and Mohanlal, in the same project.
The sequel sees Rajinikanth reprise his role as Tiger Muthuvel Pandian, the retired jailer whose seemingly quiet life conceals a formidable past. Ramya Krishnan, Yogi Babu and Mirnaa return from the first instalment, while SJ Suryah, Suraj Venjaramoodu, Vidya Balan and several others join the cast. Produced by Sun Pictures, the film has music by Anirudh Ravichander. Jailer 2 is scheduled to release in theatres worldwide on October 15.