Rajinikanth-starrer Jailer 2 is now running in theatres. While the superstar returns to the screen as IPS officer Muthuvel Pandian—famously known as 'Tiger'—he will be joined by several new faces. Among the cast of Jailer 2 is the beloved Vidya Balan, who plays the character 'Kantha Kalpak'.
In an exclusive conversation with Jagran, Vidya Balan shared several untold stories from the film's set. She also recounted an amusing anecdote involving the act of smoking a cigarette.
Vidya, we’ve noticed that you don’t shy away from taking on any kind of role—this was evident in Jailer as well. Did you have any reservations before agreeing to play the character of Kaanta?
Not at all! I really enjoyed Jailer when I watched it. When Nelson approached me, I was incredibly excited because I love his style of storytelling; he manages to inject humour into the most unexpected moments. His films are always highly entertaining, so I did wonder—where exactly would there be a place for me in a Rajini Sir film?
I was very excited because Nelson was writing and directing the film, and Rajini Sir was in it. When he told me about the film, I found it very interesting. Although the character doesn’t have much screen time, I really enjoyed the lines he wrote and the way the character was presented.
Is this character leaning towards a 'grey' shade? What makes it new for you?
Yes, this character is new to me. To be honest, I have always been hungry for a role like this. My imagination isn't necessarily that vivid, but I have a strong desire to play all kinds of characters—not just one type, but roles with every shade—grey, black or white.
For instance, when I played 'Badi Begum' in Raja Shivaji, that character also had grey shades; she was a cunning woman. When Nelson narrated this role to me, I felt that this was exactly what I had been craving. It’s like when you’re in the mood for something sour—even just a single segment of an orange is enough to satisfy that craving.
There’s no need to ‘eat an orange’ [to experience its essence]—that’s how I see things. I want to explore every shade; that is precisely why I became an actor. Wanting something is one thing, but actually getting it is another—and when you do get it, you have to bring many different elements together. As they say, when the entire universe conspires to fulfill your desires, all those emotions well up within you at once.
You were nervous about going to the set—what was that story about?
I don’t have a habit of smoking cigarettes. Although I did smoke for The Dirty Picture, I hadn’t smoked for a very long time since then. Just like how you never forget how to ride a bicycle, I assumed I could simply smoke a cigarette once I got to the set.
I did smoke, but the nicotine hit me hard. My hand started to tremble. I felt so embarrassed—after all, I am an actor, and you wouldn’t expect an actor to be caught off guard by something like this. So, the moment I arrived on set and took the first puff, it hit me—right while I was in the middle of a take.
It was fine during the initial takes, but then my hands started shaking—and I realized, "Oh God, Rajnikanth sir is right there!" I’m not smoking in every single scene, so I was quite taken aback.
Nelson (the director) pointed out that the issue was my very healthy lifestyle, which was causing my hands to tremble. I told Rajnikanth sir and the director that, from then on, the first thing I would do upon arriving on set each morning would be to smoke a cigarette.
It’s a really funny incident, because the next day I went to the set and asked my assistant, "Look at my hand—is it shaking?" Who would have thought that being an actor could also entail something like this? It’s quite an experience!
Is there any particular quality of Rajini Sir’s or something worth learning from him?
There are many things one can learn from him. When he arrived on set, I was standing and talking to the director. I noticed someone walking towards me; I had imagined that when Rajinikanth arrived on set, there would be drums playing—after all, he is Rajinikanth!
I have seen many stars who make their entrance with a lot of fanfare and noise. I could hardly believe that Rajini Sir had arrived on set so quietly.
He is a very kind person with a calm temperament. He has no need for any kind of pretense. He greets everyone with a smile and often sits quietly. He and Mithun Da get along exceptionally well; they would tease each other so much that it was always a delight to watch. They are good friends.
FAQs
How did Jailer 2 perform at the box office on Day 1?
The film earned an estimated ₹120 crore to ₹150 crore globally on its opening day.
What is the runtime and censor rating?
Jailer 2 has a runtime of 2 hours and 45 minutes and received a UA 16+ censor certificate.