Rajinikanth's 'Padayappa' re-release: 75th birthday, packed theaters, and record buzz
Rajinikanth just turned 75, and fans worldwide got to celebrate with a special treat—the global re-release of his iconic film Padayappa in a shiny new 4K version.
Directed by KS Ravikumar and starring Soundarya, with Ramya Krishnan as the unforgettable Neelambari, this 1999 classic was originally shot in just about 70 days.
The birthday bash wasn't just nostalgic—it was massive.
Fans packed cinemas (again!)—and a sequel might be coming
Theaters across India and even abroad were overflowing as Padayappa returned to the big screen, with tickets selling out fast.
The excitement felt almost like the film's original release—there were even viral clips of audiences cheering and dancing in French cinemas!
Rajinikanth also shared that talks are on for a sequel called Neelambari: Padayappa 2.
Strictly for the big screen
Padayappa's producers kept it exclusive to theaters—no OTT or TV premieres—so fans had to catch it on the big screen.
This move brought back memories from 1999 when crowds went wild (some even broke theater gates!).
Even after 26 years, Rajini mania is clearly alive and kicking.