Kamal Haasan and Rajinikanth in the promo
| Photo Credit: Red Giant Movies
In an update that has taken the internet by storm, veteran actors Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan will collaborate on an upcoming film that’s currently untitled, directed by Jailer-maker Nelson. The film is produced under the Red Giant Movies banner.
The highly-anticiapted project was announced today (February 21, 2026) with a quirky promotional video, a trademark of all Nelson movies. The glimpse begins with Nelson being confused about whom to approach first: Rajinikanth or Kamal Haasan?
Anirudh Ravichander then greets him and asks the director to touch one of his two fingers. The music composer says he is undecided about picking one between Shanmukha Priya and Kokila Priya. “Are they heroines?” asks a clueless Nelson. Anirudh then walks off saying he will go with Kharaharapriya raga.
Following that, hilarious scenes unfold as Kamal Haasan and Rajinikanth choose the opposite of what the other has preferred as they get dressed up with suit, boots, watch and shades. The legendary actors then walk towards a car in a garage, where stylish models are washing exotic and vintage cars. Anirudh’s retro-themed background score elevates the visuals.
The promo ends with Kamal asking Nelson a dicey question: Who is the hero of the movie?
The film has music scored by Anirudh Ravichander. Rajiv Menon is the cinematographer while R Nirmal is the editor. DRK Kiran serves as the art director. Other details regarding the plot and the rest of the cast and crew remain unknown at the moment.
It is to be noted that this project is different from Thalaivar 173, which is Rajinikanth’s upcoming film produced by Kamal Haasan under the banner Raaj Kamal Films International. Cibi Chakravarthy is attached as the director of the film.
The upcoming film marks a reunion between Rajinikanth and Haasan after 46 years. The two veterans, both of whom started their journey as lead actors in the 1970s under their mentor, the late legendary K Balachander, starred together in innumerable films like Apoorva Raagangal, Moondru Mudichu, Anthuleni Katha, Avargal, 16 Vayathinile, Aadu Puli Aattam, Ilamai Oonjal Aadukirathu, Thappu Thalangal, Aval Appadithaan, Thaayillamal Naan Illai, and Ninaithale Inikkum.
1979’s Alavuddinum Athbutha Vilakkum was the last film that featured both the actors in lead roles (many films, like Saranam Ayyappa, Thillu Mullu, and Geraftaar, also featured both the actors, with one or both of them playing guest role).
The news about the reunion first came out after the release of Coolie, Rajini’s recent film with director Lokesh Kanagaraj. Kamal Haasan confirmed the news early in September while speaking at the NEXA SIIMA Awards 2025. “We were united long ago, but chose to remain apart because they kept splitting a biscuit and giving us only half each. We wanted a full biscuit each, and we got it and relished it well. Now we are content with just half a biscuit again, so we have come together,” he said.
Notably, Nelson is best known for helming films such as Kolamaavu Kokila, Doctor, Beast, and Jailer. The director, popular for his dark humour tropes, is currently helming Rajinikanth in their much-anticipated sequel film Jailer 2.
Published – February 21, 2026 12:40 pm IST
