Superstar Rajinikanth is currently filming for "Jailer 2," the highly anticipated sequel to the 2023 blockbuster. Recent images from the sets, celebrating director Nelson Dilipkumar's birthday, have ignited a wave of excitement among fans. The photos offer a glimpse of Rajinikanth's salt and pepper look for the film, which has quickly become a talking point on social media.

Production house Sun Pictures shared the images on X, formerly known as Twitter, capturing candid moments from the birthday celebration. Nelson Dilipkumar, who turned 41 on June 21, was seen receiving a bouquet and enjoying cake with Rajinikanth and actor Yogi Babu. Rajinikanth's warm gesture of feeding cake to the director was particularly adored by fans.

The viral photos reveal Rajinikanth sporting a stylish salt and pepper hairstyle and beard, a departure from some of his more recent looks. This new look is said to be specifically for his role in "Jailer 2," and it has already garnered significant attention and praise.

"Jailer 2" is currently in production, with filming taking place across multiple locations. The film is written and directed by Nelson Dilipkumar and produced by Kalanithi Maran under the Sun Pictures banner. Filming commenced in March 2025 in Chennai, with initial schedules focusing on scenes featuring Rajinikanth. A village set was constructed for the shoot, and this initial phase reportedly lasted 15 to 20 days. The second shooting schedule began in April in Attappadi, Kerala, with key cast members including Ramya Krishnan, Mirnaa Menon, and S. J. Suryah joining the production. In mid-May, the unit moved to Cheruvannur in Calicut for another schedule lasting approximately 30 days, with Rajinikanth participating for nearly a week before returning to Chennai. The overall shoot is projected to be completed by December 2025, with the film expected to hit theaters in Summer 2026.

Adding to the anticipation, there were rumors about Shah Rukh Khan potentially making a cameo in "Jailer 2." However, these rumors have been debunked by Box Office-South India, which clarified that SRK is not involved in the film. Despite this, there are reports suggesting that another Bollywood actor might join the cast, though details are currently under wraps.

Before "Jailer 2" arrives, Rajinikanth fans can look forward to "Coolie," a collaboration with director Lokesh Kanagaraj, scheduled for release on August 14. This film also stars Nagarjuna Akkineni and is expected to be an action-packed entertainer.