A Legacy in the Making: Soundarya Rajinikanth’s Candid Disclosure on Thalaivar’s Next Move
CHENNAI: As Superstar Rajinikanth approaches a historic milestone of 50 years in the film industry, the buzz surrounding his retirement has been effectively silenced by his relentless work ethic. Adding fuel to this cinematic fire, his daughter and filmmaker, Soundarya Rajinikanth, has shared high-octane updates that have sent shockwaves through the global fandom.
During a promotional circuit for her latest production venture, ‘With Love’, Soundarya took a nostalgic yet forward-looking detour to discuss the “Rajinikanth Phenomenon.” From the technical odyssey of her directorial debut to the “mass” comeback of iconic characters, her revelations suggest that the Superstar is nowhere near slowing down.
“Kochadaiiyaan Was My First Child”
Reflecting on the 2014 ambitious project ‘Kochadaiiyaan’, India’s first photorealistic motion-capture film, Soundarya stood firm on her creative choices. While the film received polarized reactions upon release due to its then-nascent technology, she views it as a badge of honor.
“Directing ‘Kochadaiiyaan’ was a moment of immense pride for me. It was my first child in the world of cinema. Seeing fans appreciate the vision years later brings me great joy,” she remarked, hinting that the film was perhaps “ahead of its time.”
The ‘Double Blast’: Two Films Officially Confirmed
Addressing the immediate future, Soundarya confirmed that two major projects are not just in discussion but are “locked and loaded.”
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Thalaivar 173: A collaboration that has the industry buzzing—produced by Kamal Haasan’s Raaj Kamal Films International and directed by the young hit-maker Cibi Chakaravarthi. Soundarya promised this would be a “total commercial entertainer” that plays to her father’s legendary strengths.
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Jailer 2: Following the record-breaking success of the first installment, she confirmed that director Nelson Dilipkumar is deep into the pre-production phase to bring back the stoic yet lethal ‘Tiger’ Muthuvel Pandian.
The Bombshell: ‘Padayappa 2’ Script is Ready
The most electrifying revelation came when Soundarya discussed the possibility of a sequel to the 1999 cult classic, ‘Padayappa’. She revealed that Rajinikanth himself has taken the pen to draft the story for the sequel.
“Appa has already finished writing the script for ‘Padayappa 2’. It is ‘absolutely brilliant’ and captures the essence of the original while bringing something fresh to the table,” she stated.
There is even internal discussion about titling the project ‘Neelambari’, focusing on the legacy of the most iconic female antagonist in Tamil cinema. While a director hasn’t been officially attached to this specific script yet, the sheer existence of a completed draft by the Superstar himself has set expectations soaring.
The Rajini-Kamal Synergy
When questioned about the potential of the two titans of Tamil cinema sharing the screen again, Soundarya remained tactfully optimistic. While ‘Thalaivar 173’ sees Kamal as a producer, she noted that the mutual respect between the two legends is at an all-time high. “When the magic happens, they will be the ones to announce it,” she added with a cryptic smile.
The Takeaway
For the millions of fans worldwide, Soundarya’s updates confirm one thing: Rajinikanth is not just an actor performing roles; he is a creator actively shaping the final chapters of his legendary career. With a mix of high-tech sequels, gritty action dramas, and self-written scripts, the “Superstar” era is entering its most experimental and exciting phase yet.