Actors from Malayalam cinema on working in ‘Jailer 2’

Kottayam Nazeer and Hakkim Shajahan are among the Malayali actors who got noticed in the Rajinikanth-starrer. Meanwhile, Shamna Kasim and Rajesh Madhavan stole the show in the song, ‘Ale bolelo’

Published - October 21, 2026 09:21 pm IST

Rajinikanth's Jailer 2 is having a terrific run at the box office | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

The box office storm that Jailer 2unleashed last week has not yet died down. A group of actors from the Malayalam film industry is celebrating the roaring success of the Rajinikanth-starrer. Apart from Mohanlal, who continued his cameo [Mathew] from the first part, and Suraj Venjaramoodu as the menacing villain, Dileep, pitted against Rajinikanth’s Tiger Muthuvel Pandian, the audience also took note of these actors in spite of essaying brief roles.

Kottayam Nazeer in Jailer 2 | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGMENT

Kottayam Nazeer plays Amir, a sidekick to Suraj’s character, who later double-crosses him. Nazeer recalls that after he watched Jailer 1 with his family back in 2023, he had jokingly told them, ‘Who knows? You might watch me with Rajini sir in Jailer 2!’ “I was bragging, and never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that I would share the screen with someone whom every actor wants to meet. Irrespective of my screen time, I am happy that my character has a name and depth. It felt good when I saw the teaser and my character poster,” shares Nazeer, who has completed over three decades in Malayalam cinema as an actor, even as he entertained audiences as one of Malayalam’s leading mimicry artistes. “I have imitated Rajini sir, countless times, and when I finally met him in person, I didn’t know if it was all happening for real or not,” says Nazeer, who also dubbed for his character.

But, Nazeer says that, interestingly no one in the team knew that he was a mimicry artiste. “I got the role because of my performances in Thalavan and Vaazha.”

The big moment was when he was introduced to Rajinikanth by Suraj. An accomplished painter as well, Nazeer even managed to show his art book, Art of my Heart, to the actor. “He was surprised and I could feel his respect and appreciation for the artiste in me.”

Kottayam Nazeer with Rajinikanth on the location of Jailer 2 | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Nazeer, who had done a small role in the Tamil movie, Campus in 2004, mentions that like all actors he also thought whether the role would get edited out or not. “After all, the film has so many actors and cameos. I was lucky to get that much screen time, including a crucial scene with SJ Suryah sir.”

Nazeer, who established his credentials as a “character actor” with Mammootty’s Rorschach( 2022), has since done notable roles inThalavan, Vaazha, Anveshippin Kandethum, Alappuzha Gymkhana, and the latest, Avarachan and Sons.

Hakkim Shajahan as Sharva in Jailer 2 | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

How was it to be in the same frame with Rajinikanth, Hrithik Roshan, Mithun Chakraborty, Vidya Balan, SJ Suryah and Ramya Krishnan? Hakkim Shahjahan has been asked this question several times. “Obviously, happy!” is all that he has to say.

He plays the ruthless Sharva Kalpak of Goa-based idol-smuggling empire run by Chakri Kalpak (Mithun) and Sharvak’s siblings are played by Suryah, Vidya and Jatin Sarna.

The actor, who has a solid body of work in Malayalam cinema, was approached for a role in Jailer 1, but nothing happened after he sent his photograph. “When the sequel was announced, they called me to Chennai and did a look test for three characters. Sharva Kalpak was finalised eventually.”

Hakkim Shajahan as Sharva Kalpak in Jailer 2 | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Hakkim says that it was his negative roles in Kadaseela Biriyani and Sorgavaasal that fetched him the role in Jailer 2. “Nelson sir wanted me to play a villain who is in between these two.” The actor adds that he had put on some weight to look the age. “The shoot for Jailer 2 went on for over a year, and I was shooting a few Malayalam movies during the same time, that too as cops. So I didn’t have to look young or lose weight.” Hakkim adds that by the time Jailer 2 was ready, three of his films were completed and reached theatres – Mirage, Oru Pennu Case and I, Nobody, and another one is now in the post production stage – Hail Mary.

Hakkim admits that he was star-struck on the first day he met the bevy of big stars. “Their characters came to my mind when I first saw them. For example, when I met Ramya ma’am, I was reminded me of Baahubali. But after that initial fan-boying, you realise that you are there to work. Also, I never got into their personal space. They were also busy, with so many people coming up to meet them. I was sure none of them had seen my work and so I introduced myself to each of them. Initially, they didn’t even know I was an artiste in the film. But eventually we started exchanging pleasantries every day, especially with the shoot going on for over a year,” he recalls, adding Vidya was the friendliest. “She has an outgoing personality and was great at initiating conversations.”