A year after its theatrical release, Aishwarya Rajinikanth’s political sports drama Lal Salaam has come back into the spotlight, this time in the form of an extended cut on OTT. The film, which released in theaters in February 2024 with moderate curiosity but could not make a strong enough imprint at the box office, is now looking to start a second life on the streaming platform Sun NXT.
The online platform has only released the longer cut of Lal Salaam, lasting 2 hours and 42 minutes—a whole 10 minutes longer than the theatrical version. Whether this extra footage gives new life to the film is yet to be known.
Lal Salaam’s Return to People’s Homes
Directed by Aishwarya Rajinikanth, the movie features Vishnu Vishal and Vikranth in the main roles, with a special appearance by Superstar Rajinikanth himself in the role of Moideen Bhai, the wise and revered leader of their community. Despite the humongous expectations generated by Rajinikanth’s presence and Aishwarya’s return to the director’s chair, the theatrical run did not meet expectations.
But with its OTT release, Lal Salaam has another chance at reaching audiences, especially through its longer cut, which could provide richer character development, previously unseen scenes, and further coherence in the narrative movement—something the critics found lacking during its original run.
Only in Tamil — For Now
So far, Sun NXT has released the movie in Tamil alone, which might be a letdown for Telugu- and Hindi-speaking audiences as well who were waiting for the film’s OTT release. There is no word yet on the official side of releasing dubbed versions shortly.
With the fan following of Rajinikanth in South India and worldwide, this move could cut short the audience for the second release of the film. At least, Tamil-speaking fans can now see the story in its complete director’s cut again.
What the Extended Cut Brings to the Table
The initial Lal Salaam ran for 2 hours and 32 minutes and was met with mixed to negative reviews. Critics criticized the movie for lack of pacing, a confusing screenplay, and unimpressive emotional arcs when there was a socially potent theme. With an extra 10 minutes of content, the extended version might fix some of those problems.
Whereas Sun NXT didn’t officially outline the additions or the scenes recovered, sources indicate that the longer cut contains richer character moments, especially for Rajinikanth’s cameo and the conflict-ridden community dynamics. Flashbacks and a few political subplots are said to have been more clearly developed in this cut.
For the audience that saw the theatrical version and was dissatisfied or perplexed, the streaming version may seem more coherent and emotive. For new viewers, this could be the authentic version of Lal Salaam.
Plot Recap – A Tale of Politics, Cricket, and Brotherhood
Lal Salaam is a story located in a typical small town that is full of social tension and socio-political struggle. The story traces the childhood friends—played by Vishnu Vishal and Vikranth—torn apart by outside forces and entrenched social biases. One is a good cricketer who has big dreams but gets caught up in caste politics, and the other struggles against his own demons and misplaced allegiances.
Rajinikanth’s cameo as the senior Moideen Bhai, a tolerant senior who attempts to bridge the religious and social divide, lends weight and moral authority to the film. The film tries to address the issues of secularism, social harmony, and political abuse in sports and in everyday life.
Though the idea was great, its execution in the theatrical version was irregular. The longer version could very well be the one Aishwarya Rajinikanth must have had in mind from the start—a fuller and stronger narrative.
Supporting Cast and Technical Excellence
The movie also has Senthil, Jeevitha, Thambi Ramaiah, Ananthika Sanilkumar, Vivek Prasanna, and Thangadurai in supporting roles, all of whom add to the rich socio-political environment the film attempts to establish.
One of the high points of Lal Salaam has been its music by A.R. Rahman, which was appreciated even during the film’s disappointing box office run. Rahman’s background score and soulful songs heighten many crucial scenes and stand as one of the film’s strongest points.
The production, spearheaded by Lyca Productions, makes sure that the visuals are affluent, and the cricket scenes are choreographed with realism. The cinematography and art direction serve to improve the raw and real environment that the story calls for.
Read Also :- Vishnu Manchu Opens Up: Why Rajinikanth Was Dropped from ‘Kannappa’ Despite Early Talks
Conclusion – Will OTT Rescue Lal Salaam?
Now streaming on Sun NXT, Lal Salaam’s extended cut gives viewers a new opportunity to judge the film on its merits, outside the noise and pressure of theatrical performance. Aishwarya Rajinikanth’s directorial effort may not have hit the mark initially, but streaming gives stories a second chance to breathe and connect.
The social message of the film, Rajinikanth’s cameo, and the lush musical score will find resonance with a more reflective OTT crowd who appreciate slow-burn political dramas with depth.
If the extended cut is able to rectify the narrative loopholes and issues of pacing, Lal Salaam could possibly get the respect it lacked in its theatrical run.
Verdict:
Lal Salaam Extended Cut is an earnest effort at resuscitating a movie with good intentions but poor execution. Currently streaming on Sun NXT (Tamil only), it adds more depth to the characters and easier narrative. Worth watching for A.R. Rahman’s score, Rajinikanth’s appearance, and perhaps a better-crafted version of a tale that merits a second chance.
OTT Availability:
- Currently Streaming on Sun NXT
- Language: Tamil
- Runtime: 2 hours 42 minutes
- Dubbed Versions: Not Yet Available
Watch it if you can:
- Socio-political melodramas
- Sports dramas with emotional undercurrents
- Movies with Rajinikanth in powerful cameos
- Slow-burn narratives with impactful music
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