“Never Seen Women Breaking Gates,” Rajinikanth Recalls Incredible Fan Frenzy For Padayappa In Video

Advertisment

Rajinikanth has announced that the second part of his 1999 blockbuster, Padayappa, will be officially known as Neelambari: Padayappa 2, as part of the celebrations around his upcoming 75th birthday. This announcement marks 25 years since the original release.

Iconic Antagonist Returns to Centre Stage

The confirmation arrived via a 37-minute video where Rajinikanth looked back at the shooting of the original film and the legendary craze that surrounded it. “In my 50 years of career, I had never seen women breaking gates to watch a film as they did for Padayappa,” he said, describing the overwhelming response the film drew.

In that video, he said: “Now, when I see sequels like 2.0 and Jailer 2, I wonder why not Padayappa 2?” He added that the film’s story is currently being developed and if all goes well, “much like Padayappa, there will be a Neelambari.”

Advertisment

Padayappa’s Enduring Legacy Reshaped Tamil Cinema History

The original Padayappa, directed by K. S. Ravikumar and starring Rajinikanth along with Ramya Krishnan, Soundarya, among others, was not only a box-office juggernaut but attained cult status over time.

At the time of its release, the movie was the biggest earner in Tamil cinema. It is also remembered fondly by fans for Ramya Krishnan’s role as Neelambari, the fiery, vengeful antagonist whose character has endured for decades.

Rajinikanth also mentioned that while he does receive offers, he has deliberately avoided selling the OTT/ digital rights of Padayappa. He expressed his desire to retain the film as purely a theatrical experience to preserve the grandeur that cinema first offered.

Advertisment

Will The Sequel Rekindle Padayappa’s Timeless Magic?

As a mark of respect to the film's legacy, Padayappa will hit the theatres once again on December 12, on Rajinikanth's 75th birthday.

As for the sequel, Rajinikanth revealed that the new story may well be told from Neelambari’s point of view, picking up threads from the original’s dramatic conflict. Though the screenwriting is still in discussion, the mere announcement has lit a fire of excitement among fans hoping to recapture cinematic magic two decades onward.