India, Nov. 2 -- At 75, Rajinikanth has done the unthinkable. The superstar has given Tamil cinema's very first Rs.800-crore grosser. His latest release, Jailer 2, crossed the milestone this Sunday, and also crossed the lifetime hauls of a few Bollywood all-time blockbusters in the process. With Ramayana releasing this Friday, Jailer 2's earnings are likely to take a hit, but it would be interesting to note just how far this film can go.

Directed by Nelson Dilipkumar, Jailer 2 had one of the biggest openings in Tamil cinema history, minting Rs.400 crore in its extended four-day opening weekend. This propelled the film further, as the Navratra and Dussehra breaks helped it sustain its momentum over the weekdays. But what has been especial...