Jailer 2: Hrithik Roshan’s cameo in Rajinikanth-starrer grabs attention; fans debate sequel vs original

When Rajinikanth returns as Tiger Muthuvel Pandian, the noise outside cinema halls is only half the story. The real question is whether Jailer 2 can recreate the box-office phenomenon of its predecessor. Released in theatres worldwide on Thursday, October 15, the Nelson Dilipkumar-directed sequel arrived with enormous expectations, a star-packed cast and one major talking point: Hrithik Roshan’s much-discussed cameo.

Early reactions on X (formerly Twitter) have celebrated Rajinikanth’s screen presence, the film’s action sequences and Anirudh Ravichander’s background score. But some viewers have also questioned the screenplay, pacing and climax. The first-day response, therefore, is enthusiastic in parts, but not entirely unanimous.

Jailer 2 Day 1 collection: What the advance bookings show

So, how much has Jailer 2 earned on its opening day? At the time of writing, a final first-day box-office figure was not yet available. Advance bookings, however, offered an early indication of the demand.

According to box-office tracker Sacnilk, the film’s India-wide advance bookings for October 15 stood at approximately ₹40.96 crore gross, including blocked seats, as of 4 am on release day. The figure excludes tickets sold at the counter after the advance-booking window and should not be mistaken for the film’s final Day 1 collection. Sacnilk’s pre-release tracking also put bookings across the dates on sale at around ₹78 crore gross. Trade predictions published before release suggested that the film could cross ₹100 crore worldwide on its opening day, but that remains a projection until actual collections are reported.

Hrithik Roshan’s Jailer 2 cameo sparks a Chulbul Pandey comparison

The cameo generating much of the online chatter belongs to Hrithik Roshan. A clip from his appearance began circulating on social media on release day, with fans praising his swagger and screen presence. Many fans compared the way Hrithik wears his sunglasses, with them hooked behind his collar, to Salman Khan’s iconic Chulbul Pandey look from Dabangg. One post described the appearance as a Salman Khan reference, while another called Hrithik’s screen presence “peak aura farming”.

The comparisons are fan interpretations rather than a confirmed reference by the filmmakers. Still, the discussion has given the cameo a life of its own beyond the theatre.

Jailer 2 vs Jailer: Can the sequel repeat the blockbuster success?

The stakes are high because the first Jailer, released in 2023, became one of Tamil cinema’s biggest commercial successes, earning more than ₹600 crore worldwide. Its mix of Rajinikanth’s larger-than-life performance, dark comedy and surprise appearances by stars such as Mohanlal and Shiva Rajkumar helped turn it into a major theatrical event. The sequel brings back Rajinikanth, director Nelson and composer Anirudh, while expanding the ensemble with names including Vidya Balan, Mithun Chakraborty and Hrithik Roshan.

Early reactions suggest that the familiar combination of comedy, action and superstar moments is working for some viewers. Others feel the sequel follows the original’s template too closely and that its second half could have been tighter.

For now, Jailer 2 has the opening-day buzz and the star power. Whether it can match the first film’s box-office run will depend on actual collections and how audiences respond over the coming days.