Rajinikanth’s Padayappa Re-Released On His 75th Birthday: Here’s Why The Film Was Never On OTT
Superstar Rajinikanth’s iconic film Padayappa has returned to theatres in a grand way to mark the legendary actor’s 75th birthday and his 50 years in cinema.
The 1999 Tamil blockbuster was re-released worldwide on December 12 in a restored 4K version, giving fans a chance to relive one of Thalaivaa’s most celebrated films on the big screen.
The re-release is extra special because Padayappa has never been released on any OTT or digital platform.
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In an age where most classic films are easily available online, Rajinikanth consciously chose to keep Padayappa exclusive to theatres.
According to reports, Rajinikanth turned down several offers from streaming platforms. Explaining his decision, the superstar said he wanted audiences to experience the film only in theatres. “I did not give the rights to any telecast player despite multiple requests. I wanted people to watch it only on the big screen. It should be a kondattam (celebration) for fans,” he said, adding that the film holds special importance as he was both the producer and writer.
Padayappa carries deep emotional value for Rajinikanth. While announcing the re-release, he shared a video titled “The Return of Padayappa – 75th Birthday Special” on X.
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
In the video, he fondly recalled completing the film’s shoot in just 70 days and spoke about his memorable experience working with legendary actor Sivaji Ganesan.
Originally released in 1999, Padayappa was a massive box office success and completed 100 days in several theatres.
Over the years, the film gained cult status, especially for Rajinikanth’s powerful screen presence and Ramya Krishnan’s iconic portrayal of Neelambari. After 25 years, the theatrical re-release has reignited fan frenzy across South India.
The response at the box office has been impressive. On Day 1, Padayappa reportedly earned around ₹4.1 crore gross worldwide, with ₹3.59 crore coming from India.
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In Tamil Nadu, the film grossed ₹3.15 crore, registering the second-biggest opening for a Tamil re-release, beating Sachein. Only Ghilli remains ahead.
In Karnataka, the film created history by recording the biggest opening ever for a Kollywood re-release, earning ₹32.7 lakh gross.
Directed by K. S. Ravikumar, Padayappa stars Rajinikanth, Sivaji Ganesan, Ramya Krishnan, and Soundarya. The film’s music, composed by A. R. Rahman, remains timeless. It was produced under the banner of Arunachala Cine Creations.
