Rajinikanth’s Future Projects: These 3 Directors in Talks After Coolie & Jailer 2

Superstar Rajinikanth is currently committed to Lokesh Kanagaraj’s Coolie and the follow-up to Jailer 2 with Nelson Dilipkumar. Both films are in different stages of production — Coolie has wrapped its shoot and is now in post-production, gearing up for a worldwide release on August 14, while Jailer 2 is currently in production, with Rajinikanth actively shooting for the sequel.

Meanwhile, discussions have quietly begun for what could be Rajinikanth’s next project after these two. According to industry sources, the actor has shown interest in collaborating with one among three directors, each with a distinct filmmaking approach.

One of the names under serious consideration is Nithilan Saminathan, who recently gained attention with Maharaja, starring Vijay Sethupathi. The film was praised for its gripping narrative and execution — an impressive feat considering it was only Nithilan’s second directorial outing. His storytelling style has reportedly caught Rajinikanth’s interest. Red Giant Movies is expected to produce this project if it moves forward.

Another contender is Vivek Athreya, who has previously worked with Nani on multiple films. His Ante Sundaraniki, though underwhelming at the Telugu box office, was well received on OTT platforms and performed notably in Tamil Nadu. Known for his mix of humor and grounded emotional drama, Athreya is said to have pitched a character-driven script that aligns with Rajinikanth’s current phase. This project is likely to be produced by Mythri Movie Makers.

The third name in contention is H. Vinoth, best known for Theeran Adhigaaram Ondru (Khakee in Telugu) with Karthi. He has since directed multiple films with Ajith and is currently working on Jana Nayagan, starring Thalapathy Vijay. Vinoth’s films are typically intense, investigative thrillers with a realistic tone.

Rajinikanth is in no rush to finalize his next film. With two major projects already on hand, he is expected to take a decision based on script development and scheduling. A final call is likely in early 2026, once his current commitments are completed.