Superstar Rajinikanth continues his legendary reign in Indian cinema with an electrifying lineup of films that promise to deliver his trademark style, punch dialogues, and mass appeal. From Lokesh Kanagaraj’s action-packed Coolie to the highly anticipated Jailer 2, Thalaivar’s upcoming slate demonstrates why he remains box office gold even in his 70s. Here’s your complete guide to Rajinikanth’s upcoming movies.
Table of Contents
Rajinikanth Movie New Overview
| Film | Director | Release Date | Genre | Music |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coolie (Thalaivar 171) | Lokesh Kanagaraj | 2025 | Action Thriller | Anirudh Ravichander |
| Jailer 2 (Hukum) | Nelson Dilipkumar | June 12, 2026 | Action Comedy | Anirudh Ravichander |
| Thalaivar 173 | TBA | 2027 (tentative) | TBA | TBA |
Coolie (Thalaivar 171) – 2025
The most imminent release in Rajinikanth’s pipeline is Coolie, directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj and produced by Sun Pictures. This marks the first collaboration between Lokesh Kanagaraj and Rajinikanth, following the director’s success with films like Master, Vikram, and Leo.
Star-Studded Cast: The film features an incredible ensemble including Nagarjuna Akkineni, Soubin Shahir, Upendra, Shruti Haasan, and Sathyaraj. Aamir Khan appears in a special cameo as a character named Dahaa, reuniting with Rajinikanth after Aatank Hi Aatank (1995). Pooja Hegde also appears in the dance number “Monica.”
Story & Style: The film pays homage to Rajinikanth’s iconic coolie roles from classics like Mullum Malarum (1978), Mannan (1992), and Uzhaippali (1993), while presenting a contemporary action thriller about a former coolie union leader investigating his friend’s death, which leads him into a crime syndicate.
Music & Production: Anirudh Ravichander composes the soundtrack, with singles like “Chikitu,” “Monica,” and “Powerhouse” already released. The audio launch was held at Nehru Stadium in Chennai on August 2, 2025.
For more on new movies Rajnikanth, check our Tamil cinema box office trends 2025 and Lokesh Kanagaraj universe explained.
Jailer 2 – June 12, 2026
Jailer 2 was officially announced on January 14, 2025, with Nelson Dilipkumar returning as director, Sun Pictures as producer, and Anirudh Ravichander handling music. The sequel to 2023’s blockbuster Jailer promises to expand the story of Tiger Muthuvel Pandian.
Production Progress: Principal photography began on March 10, 2025, in Chennai, with sequences featuring only Rajinikanth filmed first. The team has shot across multiple locations including Chennai, Kerala (Attappadi, Kozhikode, Palakkad), Coimbatore, and Goa.
Ensemble Cast: Rajinikanth reprises his titular role alongside returning actors Ramya Krishnan, Yogi Babu, and Mirnaa Menon. S.J. Suryah joins the cast in a pivotal role, while Nandamuri Balakrishna and Mithun Chakraborty appear in cameo appearances. Shiva Rajkumar also reprises his cameo from the first film.
What to Expect: The film continues the action-comedy blend that made the original a ₹600+ crore worldwide blockbuster. Tentatively titled “Hukum” after the popular song from the first part, Jailer 2 aims to deliver intense action sequences combined with Nelson’s trademark humor.
Explore our Jailer franchise analysis and Nelson Dilipkumar directorial style for deeper insights.
Future Projects Beyond 2026
Potential Collaborations
Mani Ratnam Reunion: Rumors suggest Rajinikanth might reunite with legendary director Mani Ratnam after more than three decades since Thalapathi (1991). This would mark one of the most anticipated director-actor reunions in Indian cinema.
Mari Selvaraj Project: Though initially buzzed, reports indicate Mari Selvaraj is no longer attached to direct a Rajinikanth film, according to industry sources.
Sajid Nadiadwala Production: An untitled project with Bollywood producer Sajid Nadiadwala is in discussion, potentially expanding Rajinikanth’s pan-India presence.
Kamal Haasan Collaboration: Industry whispers suggest a possible project featuring both legendary actors—Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan—though no official confirmation exists.
Want predictions on Rajinikanth’s box office prospects? Read our Superstar Rajinikanth career retrospective and Tamil cinema 2026 predictions.
Why Rajinikanth Remains Box Office King
At 75, Rajinikanth continues commanding ₹50-60 crore per film, making him one of Asia’s highest-paid actors. His unique acting style—characterized by trademark gestures like flipping cigarettes, sunglasses flourishes, and powerful dialogue delivery—creates unmatched mass appeal.
Recent Success: Jailer (2023) crossed ₹600 crore worldwide, proving Rajinikanth’s star power remains undiminished. His collaborations with contemporary directors like Lokesh Kanagaraj and Nelson Dilipkumar demonstrate his ability to adapt to modern filmmaking while maintaining his iconic persona.
Pan-India Appeal: Unlike many regional stars, Rajinikanth enjoys massive popularity across India and internationally in countries like Japan, Malaysia, and Singapore. His films are routinely dubbed into multiple languages, expanding his reach beyond Tamil Nadu.
How to Watch Rajinikanth Movies
Excited to catch Thalaivar’s upcoming blockbusters? Here’s your comprehensive viewing guide:
Theatrical Release – Book Early: Rajinikanth films create unprecedented demand. Book tickets immediately when advance booking opens through BookMyShow or Paytm Movies. Expect premium pricing and sold-out shows during opening weekend.
Sun Pictures Official Updates: Follow Sun Pictures on Twitter/X for official announcements, teaser releases, and promotional content directly from the production house behind Coolie and Jailer 2.
Amazon Prime Video: Sun Pictures has partnership arrangements with Prime Video for OTT releases. Previous Rajinikanth films like Jailer premiered on Amazon Prime Video approximately 6-8 weeks post-theatrical release.
Netflix: Some Rajinikanth films including Darbar and Petta are available on Netflix, though distribution rights vary by film.
Disney+ Hotstar: Select Tamil blockbusters stream on Disney+ Hotstar with multiple language options including Hindi, Telugu, and Kannada dubs.
YouTube Official Channels: Music videos, teasers, and trailers are available on Sony Music South and Sun TV official channels.
IMDb & Wikipedia: For comprehensive filmography, cast details, and production updates, visit Rajinikanth’s IMDb page and Wikipedia entries for detailed information.
For exclusive interviews and behind-the-scenes content, check our Rajinikanth exclusive interviews and making-of documentaries.
The Anirudh-Rajinikanth Musical Magic
Anirudh Ravichander has become Rajinikanth’s go-to music director, composing for Petta, Darbar, Jailer, Vettaiyan, Coolie, and now Jailer 2. This collaboration has produced chartbusters like “Hukum,” “Chikitu,” and “Powerhouse,” with Anirudh’s contemporary sound perfectly complementing Rajinikanth’s timeless mass appeal.
The composer’s ability to blend traditional Tamil musical elements with modern bass-heavy production creates the perfect soundtrack for Rajinikanth’s larger-than-life screen presence, making their partnership one of Indian cinema’s most commercially successful director-composer duos.
FAQs
Q: When is Coolie releasing in theaters?
While Sun Pictures hasn’t announced an exact release date, Coolie is confirmed for 2025 release. Based on production timelines and the fact that principal photography wrapped in March 2025 with post-production (including sound mixing) completed by August 2025, industry experts predict a late 2025 theatrical release, potentially during the Diwali or year-end holiday season when Tamil cinema traditionally releases major tentpole films. Official announcements regarding the precise date are expected soon.
Q: Will Jailer 2 continue the story from the first film?
Yes, Jailer 2 is a direct sequel featuring Rajinikanth reprising his role as Tiger Muthuvel Pandian. The film will expand on the storyline established in Jailer (2023) while introducing new characters played by S.J. Suryah, with special appearances from Nandamuri Balakrishna and Mithun Chakraborty. Director Nelson Dilipkumar has confirmed the sequel will maintain the action-comedy tone of the original while taking the story in exciting new directions. The June 12, 2026 release date was officially announced by Rajinikanth himself in September 2025.
