Mohanlal’s much-anticipated return as Mathew in Rajinikanth’s ‘Jailer 2’ did not quite meet audience expectations, particularly among his Malayalam fans. Now, producer Antony Perumbavoor has weighed in on the criticism surrounding the superstar’s limited screen presence, admitting that the disappointment was not restricted to viewers.

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Speaking to media recently, Antony acknowledged the response from Malayalis to Mohanlal’s reduced role in the Nelson Dilipkumar directorial. “Malayalis weren’t generally happy about it. So are we,” he said, as quoted by Onmanorama.

The producer was also questioned about the portions featuring Mohanlal that appeared in the film’s promotional material but were missing from the theatrical release. His response suggested that the team was equally disappointed with the cuts.

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Antony further indicated that neither Mohanlal nor his team had been informed about the extent of the edits, adding another dimension to the discussion around the actor’s appearance in the sequel.

Why Were Mohanlal Fans Disappointed With ‘Jailer 2’?

Mohanlal’s return as Mathew had generated considerable excitement following his memorable cameo in the first ‘Jailer’. His character, introduced as a formidable ally of Rajinikanth’s Tiger Muthuvel Pandian, became one of the highlights of the 2023 blockbuster.

Naturally, expectations were high when the Malayalam superstar was confirmed for the sequel. However, audiences who watched ‘Jailer 2’ felt his appearance was considerably shorter than anticipated. The absence of certain scenes that had featured in the trailer further fuelled the criticism.

Joby Kodakara Clarifies Mohanlal Body Double Controversy

Meanwhile, mimicry artist Joby Kodakara also addressed speculation surrounding Mohanlal’s appearance in the climax of ‘Jailer 2’. Joby had worked as the actor’s body double for a few sequences, but his social media pictures from the film’s set triggered questions about whether his face had been used in the final cut.

In an interview with the YouTube channel Jango Space, Joby clarified that his contribution was limited to one or two shots, involving only his hands and legs during the airport sequence in the climax.

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He also firmly denied claims that his face appeared in the film, explaining that the close-up shots being discussed did not feature him. Joby admitted that sharing photographs from the sets was the mistake that led to the speculation.

‘Jailer 2’ Box Office Collection

Despite the debate surrounding Mohanlal’s screen time, ‘Jailer 2’ has continued its theatrical run. The Rajinikanth-starrer has reportedly grossed Rs 776.95 crore worldwide in 16 days, putting it within reach of the Rs 800 crore milestone.