Rajinikanth confirms padayappa 2 titled neelambari ahead of 75th birthday

Superstar Rajinikanth's iconic film Padayappa / Narasimha in Telugu is making a grand comeback to theaters on December 12, 2025, marking its 25th anniversary and coinciding with his 75th birthday. The 1999 blockbuster, directed by KS Ravikumar, is being re-released in 4K, sparking excitement among fans eager to relive its magic. Rajinikanth shared heartfelt memories of the film, highlighting how women once broke theater gates to watch it, emphasizing its cultural impact.

In a surprising announcement, Rajinikanth confirmed Padayappa 2 / Narasimha 2, titled Neelambari, with story discussions underway. The sequel pays homage to Ramya Krishnan’s powerful portrayal of Neelambari, the film’s headstrong antagonist.

Interestingly, Aishwarya Rai was initially considered for the role but wasn’t interested. Rajinikanth praised Ramya’s fit for the character, saying, “We are planning Neelambari, and it’ll be exciting for the audience”. Padayappa became Tamil cinema’s highest-grossing film in 1999, starring Sivaji Ganesan, Soundarya, and Nazar. Rajinikanth emphasized keeping the film exclusive to theaters, with no OTT release.

The re-release celebrates his 50-year cinematic journey, with Rajinikanth and Ramya currently working on Jailer 2. With Neelambari’s announcement, fans are buzzing. Will the sequel match the original’s legacy? The wait continues as the creative team refines the story.