Rajinikanth’s 1999 film Padayappa continues to be certainly one of the cherished movies in Tamil cinema, however it has never been made available on any streaming service. Fans have asked about this for years, and now the superstar has provided an easy explanation. Now, the film is ready to re-release in theaters on December 12, coinciding with Rajinikanth’s birthday.
Rajinikanth’s Decision To Hold Back Padayappa’s Digital Rights
Recently, Rajinikanth spoke about his long association with the film and the thought behind his decision. As per OTT Play, He said, “I had produced the film and didn’t sell it to any OTT or satellite. It’s since the film must be watched in theaters and celebrated by people.”
He added, “There are various ways to earn money; this was something I didn’t wish to do despite getting a number of offers. Aside from the satellite rights, I didn’t wish to sell its digital rights.” Rajinikanth explained that he produced Padayappa himself and even wrote the story, though he didn’t place his name within the credits.
என் திரை வாழ்வில் படையப்பா மிகவும் முக்கியத்துவம் வாய்ந்தது. அந்தப் பட நினைவுகள் சிலவற்றை உங்களுடன் பகிர்ந்துக் கொள்கிறேன். #Padayappahttps://t.co/bHMT39f1Wh pic.twitter.com/pRaPmOE5Mv
— Rajinikanth (@rajinikanth) December 8, 2025
Because it was his personal project, he desired to preserve its theatrical value. He also said he kept the film aside for this moment because he wanted it to return to cinemas during his 50-year journey within the industry. This re-release arrives exactly 25 years after the film first premiered in theaters in 1999.
Why Padayappa Holds A Special Place
In his statement, Rajinikanth reflected on his collaboration with director KS Ravikumar. Described Padayappa as a big landmark in his profession. The movie starred Sivaji Ganesan, Ramya Krishnan, Soundarya, Radha Ravi, Nassar, Manivannan, and Abbas, with the soundtrack created by AR Rahman. The acting, music, and iconic moments made the film a cultural sensation.
This December 12, Padayappa returns to cinemas as a part of Rajinikanth’s birthday celebrations, with a special poster marking his 50 years in cinema. The re-release gives fans a likelihood to relive certainly one of his most iconic movies the best way it was originally meant to be enjoyed.
Take a look at the total video of Rajinikanth below:
For more such updates, try Down South
Must Read: Akhanda 2: After The Postponement Drama, Nandamuri Balakrishna’s Sequel Hitting Theaters This Week?
Follow Us: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | Google News