Vidya Balan joins Rajinikanth-starrer 'Jailer 2'

Actor Vidya Balan has joined Tamil superstar Rajinikanth's "Jailer 2", the sequel to the 2023 blockbuster "Jailer".

Production banner Sun Pictures announced Balan's casting on Instagram on Monday, sharing a teaser introducing her character Kantha.

"Introducing Vidya Balan as Kantha from the world of #Jailer2," the banner said in the caption accompanying the teaser.

The video features Balan in a blue sari walking down a staircase with a cigarette in her hand. The actor also reshared the announcement on her social media handle.

Directed by Nelson Dilipkumar, who helmed the first film, "Jailer 2" is scheduled for a worldwide release on October 15. The film's music is composed by Anirudh Ravichander.

The original "Jailer", which emerged as the highest-grossing Tamil film at the time of its release, starred Rajinikanth as retired jailer Muthuvel Pandian.

The film followed Muthuvel as he led a quiet life with his family after retiring from the prison service. His life changes when his son, an upright police officer investigating an idol-smuggling syndicate, goes missing and is presumed dead.

The cast included Ramya Krishnan, Vasanth Ravi, Yogi Babu, Mirnaa Menon, Sunil and Vinayakan, who played the antagonist.

The film also featured special appearances by Mohanlal, Shivarajkumar, Jackie Shroff, Kishore, Makarand Deshpande and Tamannaah Bhatia, among others.