Did Balayya say no to Jailer 2?

The news that Balakrishna would be doing a special cameo in “Jailer 2” has been around for quite some time. Director Nelson Dilipkumar had actually tried to bring him on board even for the first part, but it didn’t materialize. Just like how Shivarajkumar represented Kannada and Mohanlal represented Malayalam, Nelson felt that having Balayya from Telugu cinema would complete the balance. However, due to various reasons, that plan never happened. Cut to the present rumors started months ago that Balakrishna would appear in “Jailer 2” as a powerful police officer in a special role. But the latest inside report says that Balayya has politely said no to the offer. And there are some solid reasons behind this decision.

Apparently, Rajinikanth and Balakrishna share a great friendship. Rajini, who has immense respect for the late NTR, even attended his centenary celebrations as a special guest. However, sources say that the role designed for Balayya in Jailer 2 was written in a way that highlighted Rajini’s character rather than elevating Balakrishna’s, which led to his decision to reject it. Moreover, Balayya’s daughter Tejaswini reportedly advised him not to take up cameo roles at a time when he’s on a strong winning streak from Akhanda to Bhagavanth Kesari and maintaining his momentum as a lead hero.

In a way, it seems like the right call. In the first Jailer, most of the cameo roles mainly served to elevate Rajinikanth’s heroism. Balakrishna’s fans, however, may not be happy seeing him in such a secondary role. He’s also known to stay away from cameos ever since his appearance in Uu Kodathara Ulikki Padathara, which didn’t yield the expected result. Now, there’s a buzz that Fahadh Faasil has been brought in for that role instead. Whether he’s replacing Balakrishna or playing an entirely different part remains unclear. Meanwhile, Jailer 2 is reportedly targeting a summer 2026 release.