Not Ramya, Aishwarya Was Rajinikanth’s First Choice for ‘Neelambari’
Entertainment Desk
Published: 14 December 2025, 11:31 am
South Indian cinema’s iconic villainess “Neelambari” became unforgettable thanks to Ramya Krishnan’s stellar performance in the 1999 blockbuster Padayappa. But 26 years later, just before the film’s re-release, superstar Rajinikanth revealed a surprising secret: Ramya was not the filmmakers’ first choice. They had initially wanted Bollywood beauty Aishwarya Rai Bachchan for the role.
The film, directed by K. S. Ravikumar, is set to be re-released worldwide on December 12. In a video message titled The Return of Padayappa, Rajinikanth shared this behind-the-scenes revelation.
He explained, “When we imagined the character of ‘Neelambari’, only Aishwarya Rai came to mind. It was one of the most powerful female roles in Tamil cinema.” He added that the team had spent three months trying to cast her, even reaching out through Aishwarya’s family.
“The team was ready to wait a year if she agreed, because it was crucial to portray the character correctly. Otherwise, the movie wouldn’t have succeeded,” said Rajinikanth. However, Aishwarya eventually declined the offer.
Afterward, the superstar instructed the director to cast someone with fierce eyes and a commanding presence. If the right actress wasn’t found, the project could even be put on hold. Ultimately, Ramya Krishnan was chosen, and the rest is history.
Looking ahead, Rajinikanth also teased fans about a possible sequel. In his video message, he suggested the title: Neelambari: Padayappa 2, though the filmmakers have not yet made any official announcement.
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