Rajinikanth’s Padayappa Returns to Theatres :
December 12 has long held special meaning for Rajinikanth fans — and this year, the celebrations are even more memorable. As the Tamil superstar turns 75, his iconic 1999 blockbuster Padayappa has returned to theatres, drawing packed crowds once again.
At Rohini Silver Screens in Koyambedu, Chennai, the atmosphere is nothing short of a festival for the film’s first day first show (FDFS). The venue is adorned with Padayappa posters and numerous “Happy Birthday Thalaiva” banners, while a DJ near the entrance plays a nonstop mix of Rajinikanth’s chart-topping hits.
Among those dancing enthusiastically is Yogaraj D, a professional dancer from OMR. “I was too young when Padayappa first released and never got to experience it on the big screen,” he says with a smile. “This re-release gives me the chance to celebrate that magic.”
For many, the screening is also a nostalgic journey. Satish K, a 34-year-old IT professional from Poonamallee, sees it as a return to a cherished childhood memory. “I was in class three when the film originally came out,” he recalls. “I watched it at Raghavendra Theatre in Tiruvottiyur. It had everything — comedy, action, style. Getting to relive it now is truly special.”
Satish adds that Rajinikanth’s punch dialogues and motivational speeches have had a lasting impact on him. “Whenever I feel low, I listen to his words. They always motivate me and lift my spirits,” he shares.
The re-release of Padayappa carries added significance because Rajinikanth himself ensured the film was kept away from television and OTT platforms. In a recently released video message, he explained, “I wanted the re-release to be special — a true kondattam for fans in theatres.” Directed by K.S. Ravikumar with music by A.R. Rahman, the film is also celebrated for Ramya Krishnan’s iconic portrayal of the fierce Neelambari, a character that remains unforgettable in Tamil cinema.
That legacy was clearly visible among the hundreds who gathered at Rohini on a chilly Friday morning for the FDFS. One of them was ‘Rajini’ Balaji, a longtime admirer who had also watched the film’s first show back in 1999. “It’s heartwarming to see Gen Z celebrating him with the same passion we did years ago,” he says. “His films and his style are timeless and truly unique.”
As Rajinikanth famously declares in Padayappa: “En vazhi, thani vazhi” — My path is a path of its own.
