Daijiworld Media Network - Chennai

Chennai, Dec 10: Superstar Rajinikanth has officially confirmed that his iconic blockbuster Padayappa will get a sequel titled ‘Neelambari: Padayappa 2’, 25 years after the original film set Tamil cinema box office records in 1999.

In a special 37-minute video released ahead of the film’s grand re-release, Rajinikanth recalled the unprecedented craze that surrounded Padayappa during its first release. “In my 50 years of film career, I had never seen women break theatre gates to watch a film like they did for Padayappa,” the actor said.

Revealing the sequel plan, he added, “When I see sequels like 2.0 and Jailer 2, I feel Padayappa also deserves a sequel. The title will be Neelambari: Padayappa 2. Discussions are happening. If the story shapes up well, just like Padayappa, there will be a powerful Neelambari again. It will be exciting for the audience.”

Rajinikanth further said the film will remain exclusively a theatrical experience. “We did not give Padayappa to OTT or satellite. It is a film meant for theatres. And now, 25 years later, you can watch it again on December 12, my birthday,” he shared.

About the Film

Directed by KS Ravikumar, Padayappa featured Rajinikanth as Aaru Padayappan, Soundarya as his wife Vasundhara, and Ramya Krishnan in the iconic role of Neelambari, who went on to become one of Tamil cinema’s most memorable antagonists. Late legend Sivaji Ganesan played Padayappa’s father Dharmalingam in one of his notable final performances.

Padayappa will hit cinema halls once again on December 12 as part of the Superstar’s 75th birthday celebrations. Rajinikanth and Ramya Krishnan are currently shooting together for Nelson Dilipkumar’s Jailer 2.