The blockbuster film “Jailer,” starring the legendary Rajinikanth, has shattered box office records and is currently available for streaming on OTT platforms. The Sun TV network, the film’s producers, generously shared their success with everyone involved in the project. In a recent gesture of appreciation, producer Kalanithi Maran gifted a luxurious BMW X7 SUV to the Tamil superstar Rajinikanth. The director Nelson Dilipkumar and the film’s music director, Anirudh Ravichander were presented with a Porsche vehicle each. Additionally, gold coins were distributed to over 300 individuals who contributed to the success of the Rajinikanth film.

The Plot: We’ve seen numerous films centered on the theme of revenge, and here’s another one to add to the list. This film, as the title suggests, revolves around a retired police officer who used to be a jailer and has a son serving as an assistant commissioner. The story unfolds when the assistant commissioner takes on the investigation of a temple idol theft and his mysterious disappearance.

The police department hastily concludes that the case is a suicide and wishes to distance itself from the case, as it involves a transnational criminal network engaged in the illegal transportation of idols from India. However, the determined ex-jailer decides to personally take on the case, motivated by a burning desire for revenge against his son’s assailants.

Throughout the film, we witness the relentless pursuit of violence by the former jailer as he sets out to capture the gang leader and secure his son’s release. This movie is tailored for Rajinikanth’s fervent fans, providing them with a plethora of moments to celebrate their beloved superstar. While the protagonists are part of the police force, the narrative unfolds in a world where law and order seem to be nonexistent, except for the rules established by the hero himself. Even during his tenure as a jailer, he was known for being a law unto himself.

To give the film a pan-Indian appeal, it features acclaimed actors such as Mohanlal, Jackie Shroff, Shiva Rajkumar, and Makarand Deshpande, representing various Indian languages and regions, including Malayalam, Kannada, Telugu, and Hindi. To add a dash of glamour, Tamannaah Bhatia dazzles the audience with an enticing item dance performance.

The film is unacceptably violent. The hero kills a number of people in cold blood, including a beheading where the torso remains standing for a few seconds. His wife and daughter-in-law are forced to witness a few of these killings. In the climax, the hero executes his own son, all without the involvement of the police or the law.

The villain, a Malayalam actor, plays his role so well that he carries it over into real life. His comments at the mourning for the former chief minister of Kerala were cynical and atrocious.

The Central Board of Film Certification has granted the film a UA rating, which means that it is suitable for public viewing “with an endorsement of caution that the question as to whether any child below the age of 12 years may be allowed to see the film should be considered by the parents or guardians of such child”. However, it is unclear whether parents took this guidance into account when they took their children under the age of 12 to see the film.

Societal Impact: The film’s overarching message and its triumphant reception convey several thought-provoking insights:

1.     They highlight a lingering skepticism within our society, suggesting that we may not fully trust the legal and social structures that have developed over time.

2.     The prevalence of barbaric responses and a tendency to resort to violence as a solution continue to dominate our collective mindset, overshadowing more civilized alternatives.

3.     The fervent adoration of heroes often obscures our judgment regarding the methods they employ, potentially leading us to turn a blind eye to ethical concerns.

Given these societal dynamics, it raises the question of whether we can reasonably anticipate young people growing up to be law-abiding citizens.

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