Not Ramya Krishnan, this star actress was the first choice for role of Neelambari in Rajinikanth’s iconic Padayappa, she is…

Before Ramya Krishnan immortalised Neelambari in Rajinikanth’s iconic film Padayappa, another popular actress was the original choice for the role. Here’s who it was and why the casting changed.

Thalaivar Rajinikanth’s iconic film Padayappa, helmed by K.S. Ravikumar, continues to remain a favourite among Tamil cinema fans even decades after its release. While Ramya Krishnan’s portrayal of Neelambari is considered one of the most powerful performances in Tamil cinema, many fans have always been curious about how the role was cast. Recently, Rajinikanth shared an interesting revelation that has sparked fresh discussion among movie lovers.

Aishwarya Rai was the original choice for Neelambari

In a newly surfaced interaction, Rajinikanth revealed that Aishwarya Rai was the team’s first preference to play the fiery and unforgettable Neelambari. He explained how the makers were determined to bring her on board because they believed her presence and screen aura could bring something unique to the role. However, things eventually took a different turn.

Talking about Aishwarya’s rejection, Rajinikanth said, “We wanted Aishwarya Rai to do the character of Neelambari. We tried to reach out to her after a lot of difficulties. If she had said yes to the movie, I was willing to wait for even 2–3 years because that character was like that. It was imperative for that role to click, but we heard that she was not interested. Sridevi, Madhuri Dixit and several names were considered. But we were looking for that power in the heroine’s eyes to pull off Neelambari. We wanted an arrogance in the character, and it was Ravikumar who suggested Ramya Krishnan’s name.”

Ramya Krishnan eventually took on the role and delivered a performance that became iconic. Her portrayal of Neelambari, confident, fierce, and layered, went on to define the film and earned her immense praise. Many fans still consider it one of her career-best characters.

The collaboration between two legends

Though Padayappa did not bring them together, Rajinikanth and Aishwarya Rai eventually shared the screen in the blockbuster science-fiction film Enthiran (Robot), helmed by Shankar Shanmugam. Their pairing was widely appreciated, and the film became a massive success across languages.

More about Rajinikanth’s iconic film

In the same conversation, Rajinikanth also confirmed that the sequel to Padayappa is officially in the works. The second part will reportedly be titled Neelambari: Padayappa 2, hinting at a story that may delve deeper into the legendary antagonist’s universe.

The film featured Rajinikanth in the titular role, along with Ramya Krishnan, Soundarya and Sivaji Ganesan in lead roles, and supporting performances by Lakshmi, Radha Ravi, Nassar, Abbas, Sithara and Preetha. Upon its 1999 release, the film emerged as the highest-grossing Tamil hit of its time, reportedly grossing over Rs 61 crore. Now, to honour Rajinikanth’s 75th birthday, the film is all set to re-release in theatres on December 12, 2025.