Rajinikanth’s Jailer 2 will not release in Hindi at the national chains. The Hindi version will not play in PVR INOX and Cinepolis, and will be limited to single screens across the Hindi belt. With the film releasing on October 15, this is a big blow to its chances in the Hindi market.
Why the National Chains Said No
The reason is the OTT window. In the Hindi market, national multiplex chains follow a strict rule: a film must have an 8-week gap between its theatrical release and its OTT premiere to be screened in their theatres.
Jailer 2 is said to have locked its OTT deal with a 4-week window. That clashes directly with the multiplex rule, and as a result, the Hindi version is out of PVR INOX and Cinepolis. The film had reportedly signed one of the biggest non-theatrical deals ever for a Tamil film, and the shorter streaming window appears to be part of that deal.
The Same Mistake, Again and Again
This is not the first time a big Tamil film has missed the national chains in Hindi. Kollywood has repeatedly gone with short OTT windows for its biggest films, and the Hindi versions have paid the price every time. Vijay’s Leo and Rajinikanth’s Coolie both faced the same problem in the Hindi market.
This is a big reason why Tamil cinema is still unable to post big numbers in Hindi. Compare that with Telugu cinema. Pan India Films from Tollywood followed the 8-week window, released across national chains, and went on to post huge numbers in the Hindi market. Telugu films have built a strong Hindi audience over the years, and staying in the multiplexes has been a key part of that growth.
A Missed Opportunity for Jailer 2
What makes this more disappointing is that Jailer 2 had real potential in Hindi. Rajinikanth has a strong fan base across India, and the sequel brings in Bollywood names like Mithun Chakraborty and Vidya Balan, which could have helped the film connect with Hindi audiences. With a proper multiplex release, Jailer 2 could have posted good numbers.
Now, limited to single screens, the Hindi version will struggle to make a real impact. Fans are also disappointed, as many of them prefer watching big releases in multiplexes, and those in cities will find very few shows for the Hindi version.
What Kollywood Needs to Change
Until Tamil producers start following the 8-week window for their biggest films, the Hindi market will stay out of reach. The money from a bigger OTT deal may look attractive, but it comes at the cost of theatrical growth in one of India’s largest markets. Jailer 2 is just the latest example of how much Kollywood is leaving on the table.
