The first song promo from Rajinikanth‘s upcoming movie Jailer 2 has created quite a stir online. The 32-second clip of the track Ala Bolelo dropped on Tuesday evening and quickly caught attention for all the wrong reasons. While the song features Malayalam lyrics, many viewers from Kerala are unhappy with how the words have been pronounced.
The promo shows Shamna Kasim (also known as Poorna) dancing in a traditional kasavu saree, with Anirudh Ravichander singing the opening lines. The video ends with a short appearance by Rajinikanth. But instead of celebrating the track, social media has been flooded with criticism over the way Malayalam words have been delivered.
What Exactly Happened With the Ala Bolelo Promo
The Ala Bolelo promo was released as the first look at the music from Jailer 2. The song has music and vocals by Anirudh Ravichander, with lyrics written by Arunraja Kamaraj. Additional vocals come from Niranjana Raman, Aparna Harikumar, and Deepthi Suresh.
The track includes several Malayalam words, similar to how Manasilaayo from Rajinikanth’s 2024 film Vettaiyan also used the language. But unlike Manasilaayo, which became a hit, this promo has drawn sharp criticism.
Many Malayali viewers felt the pronunciation was closer to Tamil than actual Malayalam. Some even said the singing sounded like gibberish rather than proper Malayalam.
Keralites Express Anger Over Mispronunciation
Social media users from Kerala did not hold back their disappointment. One X (formerly Twitter) user wrote:
“Dear Tamils, please don’t include Malayalam in your songs or dialogues unless it’s pronounced correctly. Mispronouncing words, especially the ‘la’ sounds, can be really irritating to Malayalis and may feel disrespectful to our language. This is NOT Malayalam.”
Another user commented:
“Hire a lyric writer and singer who knows Malayalam.”
A Tamil viewer also agreed with the criticism, saying:
“As a Tamil, I completely agree. They should’ve at least hired a Malayali singer. I hate it when someone handles other languages poorly without any effort for authenticity.”
Some viewers expressed confusion about whether the singer was actually singing in Malayalam or just making up sounds.
The Pronunciation Debate Heats Up Online
The criticism has sparked a larger conversation about how regional languages are treated in films from other industries. Many pointed out that Malayalam has a distinct pronunciation system, and audiences who speak the language can easily spot when something sounds off.
One social media user pointed out that Tamil songs themselves often struggle with correct pronunciation of certain sounds. This led to discussions about whether the issue is limited to Malayalam or part of a bigger pattern in South Indian cinema.
Some fans, however, still showed excitement for the song and Rajinikanth’s appearance in the promo. The debate has not stopped people from looking forward to the full track.
Full Song Release and What to Expect
The complete version of Ala Bolelo is scheduled to release on August 21. Fans will get to hear the full track and see how much Malayalam is actually used in the song.
Given the controversy around the 32-second promo, many are curious to see if the full song will address the pronunciation concerns or face even more criticism.
About Jailer 2 and Its Cast
Jailer 2 is the sequel to the 2023 blockbuster Jailer. The film is written and directed by Nelson Dilipkumar and produced by Kalanithi Maran under Sun Pictures.
Rajinikanth returns as ‘Tiger’ Muthuvel Pandian. The cast includes Ramya Krishnan, Yogi Babu, Mirnaa, and Rithvik reprising their roles. New additions include SJ Suryah, Mithun Chakraborty, Vidya Balan, Suraj Venjaramoodu, Anna Rajan, and Jatin Sarna.
Mohanlal, Shiva Rajkumar, and Jackie Shroff will return for their cameo appearances. Reports suggest that Nandamuri Balakrishna and Shah Rukh Khan were approached for cameos but turned them down.
The movie is set to hit theatres worldwide on October 15.
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What the Promo Shows
The 32-second clip opens with Anirudh Ravichander’s vocals set to Malayalam lyrics. The video then shows Shamna Kasim dancing in a traditional kasavu saree, a nod to Onam celebrations. The promo ends with a brief glimpse of Rajinikanth.
The timing of the release, close to the Onam festival, seemed intentional. But the pronunciation issue has overshadowed the festive mood for many viewers.
Also Read: Rajinikanth Clarifies ‘Parunthu’ Reference at Jailor Audio Launch; ‘Lalsalam’ Audio
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