Rajinikanth’s ‘Jailer 2’ Song Promo Faces Backlash Over Malayalam Pronunciation
Chennai, India – The highly anticipated sequel to the blockbuster hit ‘Jailer,’ starring superstar Rajinikanth, is gearing up for an October release. As excitement builds for ‘Jailer 2,’ the makers recently unveiled a promotional video for a new song titled ‘Ala Bolelo.’ However, the 32-second clip has sparked significant discontent among fans in Kerala, primarily due to perceived mispronunciations of Malayalam words within the track.
The promo for ‘Ala Bolelo,’ featuring Rajinikanth alongside actress Shamna Kasim, has drawn criticism for its linguistic accuracy. A segment of fans from Kerala has voiced their disappointment, highlighting what they describe as incorrect pronunciation of Malayalam phrases, particularly the nuanced ‘la’ sounds crucial to the language.
‘Ala Bolelo’ Promo Released, Music by Anirudh Ravichander
The song ‘Ala Bolelo’ boasts music and lead vocals by the popular composer Anirudh Ravichander, with lyrics penned by Arunraja Kamaraj. Additional vocal contributions come from Niranjana Raman, Aparna Harikumar, and Deepthi Suresh. The promotional video kicks off with Anirudh’s rendition of Malayalam words, followed by visuals of Shamna Kasim elegantly dancing in a traditional kasavu saree.
This inclusion of Malayalam appears to be a deliberate effort to connect with Kerala audiences, a strategy reminiscent of ‘Manasilaayo’ from Rajinikanth’s 2024 film ‘Vettaiyan.’ That song also incorporated Malayalam lyrics and was strategically released around the Onam festival, aiming to resonate with the cultural sentiments of the region.
Social Media Erupts with Criticism
While some fans expressed joy at the prospect of another Rajinikanth song coinciding with the Onam festive season, a considerable number took to social media platforms to vocalize their displeasure regarding the pronunciation. Malayalam-speaking fans, in particular, have been vocal in their critique.
One user on X (formerly Twitter) articulated the widespread sentiment: "Dear Tamils, please don’t include Malayalam in your songs or dialogues unless it’s pronounced correctly. Mispronouncing words, especially the ‘la’ sounds, can be really irritating to Malayalis and may feel disrespectful to our language. This is NOT Malayalam.”
Another fan commented on the musicality but echoed the linguistic concern: “The beat is catchy, but Anirudh really needs a lyricist who understands Malayalam better.” A more direct suggestion emerged from another user: “Hire a lyric writer and singer who knows Malayalam.”
The full version of ‘Ala Bolelo’ is scheduled for release on August 21, and it remains to be seen if the concerns raised by fans will be addressed or if the full song will offer a different perspective.
About ‘Jailer 2’
‘Jailer 2’ sees Nelson Dilipkumar returning to direct, following the immense success of the first installment released in 2023. Rajinikanth reprises his role as the iconic Tiger Muthuvel Pandian. The stellar cast also includes Ramya Krishnan, Yogi Babu, Mirnaa, and Rithvik, with new additions like SJ Suryah, Mithun Chakraborty, Vidya Balan, Suraj Venjaramoodu, Anna Rajan, and Jatin Sarna joining the ensemble.
Adding to the star power, Mohanlal, Shiva Rajkumar, and Jackie Shroff are confirmed to make cameo appearances, further elevating the anticipation for the film. ‘Jailer 2’ is slated to hit theaters on October 15, 2026.
