Superstar Rajinikanth’s iconic 1999 blockbuster Padayappa is gearing up for a grand re-release, and the excitement among fans is already rising. As part of the celebration, Rajinikanth appeared in a special video where he revisited the journey of the film. During this nostalgic conversation, he made a surprising revelation that instantly caught everyone’s attention.
Rajinikanth Reveals Aishwarya Rai Was 1st Choice For Neelambari
Rajinikanth shared that Aishwarya Rai (not Ramya Krishnan) was the first choice to play the fierce and unforgettable Neelambari. The character went on to become one of the most memorable antagonists in Tamil cinema, thanks to Ramya’s powerful performance. However, Rajinikanth revealed that Aishwarya Rai had declined the offer long before the film went on floors.
Explaining the casting process, Rajinikanth said, “We wanted Aishwarya Rai to do the character of Neelambari. We tried to reach out to her after a lot of difficulties. If she had said yes to the movie, I was willing to wait for even 2–3 years because that character was like that. It was imperative for that role to click, but we heard that she was not interested. Sridevi, Madhuri Dixit and several names were considered. But we were looking for that power in the heroine’s eyes to pull off Neelambari. We wanted an arrogance in the character, and it was Ravikumar who suggested Ramya Krishnan’s name.”
Neelambari was crucial to the story and he thought a lot before picking the right face for the role. The makers eventually went ahead with Ramya Krishnan, and her portrayal became iconic. Even today, Neelambari is remembered as one of Tamil cinema’s best-written and best-performed characters.
Though Aishwarya Rai rejected Padayappa, destiny eventually brought her and Rajinikanth together. The two later shared the screen in the sci-fi phenomenon Enthiran, which remains one of the biggest hits in Indian cinema.
Padayappa Sequel Confirmed
Rajinikanth also dropped another major update for fans. In the same video, he confirmed that a sequel to the cult hit is in the works. Titled Neelambari – Padayappa 2, the film is already generating buzz as audiences look forward to revisiting the world of the original.
Directed by KS Ravikumar, Padayappa starred Rajinikanth in the lead, along with Ramya Krishnan, Soundarya and Sivaji Ganesan. The film was a massive commercial success upon its release and set new box-office records for Tamil cinema. The upcoming re-release marks a nostalgic tribute to the superstar on his birthday and gives a new generation the chance to experience the spectacle on the big screen.
Meanwhile, Rajinikanth and Ramya Krishnan are currently shooting for Nelson Dilipkumar’s Jailer 2. The cast also includes SJ Suryah, Vinayakan, Yogi Babu and Mirnaa. The film was produced by Sun Pictures and is set for a June 2026 release.
Rajinikanth was last seen in Lokesh Kanagaraj’s Coolie, and he also has a new project backed by Kamal Haasan. On the other hand, Aishwarya Rai last appeared in Ponniyin Selvan 2. She has not announced her next film yet.
