Review: Rajinikanth is back at his best with ‘Jailer’

Review by Chetan Nadiger

Film: Jailer

Producer: Sun Pictures

Director: Nelson Dilipkumar

Starring: Rajinikanth, Shivarajkumar, Mohan Lal, Jackie Shroff, inayakan, Vasanth Ravi, Ramya Krishnan, Sunil, Tamannaah and Yogi Babu and others

After ‘Kabali’, though the ‘Super Star’ acted in a few films, they were not very successful. The actor was badly in need of a success and the actor has been successful in retaining his glory back with ‘Jailer’.

‘Jailer’ starts with a team of idol smugglers led by Verma (Vinayakan). An honest Assistant Commissioner of Police called Arjun (Vasanth Ravi) is behind the network. However, he disappears mysteriously and everyone including the police believes he is dead. The death of his beloved son makes his ex-police officer father Muthuvel Pandian (Rajinikanth) is inconsolable. His wife puts the entire blame of him for raising his son honest. As a loving father, Pandian seeks revenge. He starts killing many goons and finally ends up before Varma. But that is not the end. Varma assigns a difficult task to Pandian and the ex-police officer has to complete it at any condition. What is the task and what happens next forms the crux of the film.

The plot of ‘Jailer’ is similar that of to Kamal Haasan’s ‘Vikram’, but ends up as a different film. But is has loads of family sentiment, action and violence. The film starts of as a family film and Rajinikanth is introduced in a very subtle manner as a retired officer who buys vegetables for the home, assists his grandson in running a YouTube channel and enjoy moments with his family. However, after the disappearance of his son, the track slowly changes into an action film.

One may wonder from where in Shivarajkumar, Mohan Lal, Jackie Shroff, Kishore and all steps in the film. That’s what the highlight of the film is. Pandian’s early career as a Jailer comes to the rescue and all the three including Shivarajkumar, Mohan Lal and Jackie Shroff are his friends of the flash back. They come in the time when Pandian needs their help. While, the previous films of the actor were set in one particular place, ‘Jailer’ starts in Arakonam and then moves to Bangalore, Bihar, Mumbai, Kavali and other places.

The first half of the film is very good and makes the audience glued to their seats. Nelson Dilip Kumar brings in some good humour in the film at this stage. Though the plot gets serious, Nelson manages to evoke laughter among the audience. The pre-interval scene is one of the prominent highlights of the film. Though there are some well picturised action sequences and a super hit song, the second half is lagging and it lacks consistency.

Rajinikanth is back at his best in ‘Jailer’. His charm, swag and elegance make the audience cheer throughout the film. The other character which steals the show completely is Varma portrayed by Vinayakan. His menacing looks and his portrayal makes him a deserving antagonist against Rajinikanth. Though Shivarajkumar, Mohan Lal and Jackie Shroff has nothing much to do, their presence itself add charm to the film. The characters of Vasanth Ravi, Ramya Krishnan, Sunil, Tamannaah and Yogi Babu are shortlived, but they have done their bit.

Anirudh Ravichander also contributes significantly to the success of the film with his songs and background music. Vijay Karthik Kannan delivers visual splendour.

‘Jailer’ has already fetched in mixed reviews from the audience. Whatever the reviews or the reactions are, the film can’t be missed if you are an avid Rajinikanth fan.