'Superstar' Rajinikanth's latest film, Lal Salaam, directed by his daughter Aishwarya Rajinikanth hit screens worldwide on Friday, February 9. The sports drama film features the iconic actor making a special appearance as Moideen bhai and stars Vishal Vishal and Vikranth in the lead roles, with the music composed by Academy Award winner A. R. Rahman. With Lal Salaam taking a strong opening in cinemas, Rajinikanth today addressed media persons at the Chennai Airport upon his return from Hyderabad where he was shooting his upcoming film, Vettaiyan.
Speaking to reporters about the feedback to Lal Salaam, Rajinikanth said, "I've heard that the film is liked by fans and the people. The film has triumphed on a big scale and I extend my heartfelt gratitude to Lyca Productions for producing, Aishwarya Rajinikanth for directing, and the entire crew." Upon being asked about actor Vishal's receny statement about an entry in politics after Vijay and whether the duties of a Chief Minister have gotten easy, Rajinikanth responded saying, "Sorry, please don't ask any political questions."
Rajinikanth was then queried about the progress of his ongoing film Vettaiyan, with the actor informing, "Eighty percent of the shooting has been completed and only twenty percent of the production is remaining." When inquired about the film's release plans, the veteran actor informed that he doesn't know about it yet. Rajinikanth was also questioned about his next film, the tentatively titled Thalaivar 171 under Lokesh Kanagaraj's direction, which he revealed would begin filming after the completion of Vettaiyan.
Vettaiyan is being directed by Jai Bhim fame T. J. Gnanavel and has 'Superstar' Rajinikanth playing the role of a cop and will be sharing screen space alongside a power-packed star cast featuring the likes of Bollywood legend Amitabh Bachchan, Malayalam actors Fahadh Faasil and Manju Warrier, leading Telugu star Rana Daggubati, Irudhi Suttru heroine Ritika Singh and Sarpatta Parambarai fame Dushara Vijayan, among others, with the music being composed by 'Rockstar' Anirudh Ravichander. Thalaivar 171, on the other hand, marks the first-time collaboration for Rajinikanth with blockbuster filmmaker Lokesh Kanagaraj, and will have songs and a background score composed by Anirudh, who has boarded a 'Superstar' venture for the fifth time after Petta (2019), Darbar (2020), Jailer (2023), and Vettaiyan.