Lal Salaam, the upcoming sports drama film directed by Aishwarya Rajinikanth, has received a U/A certificate from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). The film, which features superstar Rajinikanth in an extended cameo role, is set to hit the theatres on February 9, 2024. The film revolves around a cricket team that faces various challenges and struggles to achieve their dreams.

Aishwarya Rajinikanth shares the news on social media

Aishwarya Rajinikanth, who is making her directorial comeback with Lal Salaam, took to X (formerly Twitter) to share the news of the U/A certification with her fans and followers. She posted a poster of the film that shows a cricket ball with the title and the release date. She also added a hashtag #lalsalaam and an emoji of folded hands.

#lalsalaam 🙏🏼✨ pic.twitter.com/zVsAqmNDTW — Aishwarya Rajinikanth (@ash_rajinikanth) February 6, 2024

The U/A certificate means that the film is suitable for all audiences, but children below the age of 12 need to be accompanied by an adult. The certificate also indicates that the film has a compelling storyline that deals with a sensitive subject matter. According to reports, the film has a runtime of two hours and thirty-two minutes.

Lal Salaam explores the theme of religious unity through cricket

Lal Salaam is a film that aims to promote religious unity and harmony through the medium of cricket. The film follows the journey of a cricket team that consists of players from different faiths and backgrounds. Rajinikanth plays the role of Moideen Bhai, a Muslim mentor and coach who guides and inspires the team. The film also stars Vikranth and Vishnu Vishal as the lead players, along with Vignesh, Livingston, Senthil, Jeevitha, KS Ravikumar, and Thambi Ramaiah in supporting roles. The film also features a cameo appearance by cricket legend Kapil Dev, who plays himself.

The film has been praised for its positive message and its portrayal of cricket as a unifying force. However, the film has also faced some controversy and backlash from certain quarters. Reports suggest that the film has been banned in Kuwait, a country that has a history of censoring Indian films that touch upon religious issues or hurt Islamic sentiments. The ban is speculated to be due to Rajinikanth’s character of Moideen Bhai, who is shown wearing a skullcap and a beard.

Lal Salaam boasts of a talented technical crew

Lal Salaam is not only backed by a stellar cast, but also by a talented technical crew. The film has been produced by Dhanush under his banner Wunderbar Films, in association with Y Not Studios and Reliance Entertainment. The film has been written by Aishwarya Rajinikanth herself, along with Rajesh Ramnath and Suresh Subramaniam. The film has been shot by cinematographer Velraj, who has worked with Rajinikanth in films like Jailer and Vettaiyan. The film has been edited by Pravin Baaskar, who has also worked with Aishwarya Rajinikanth in her previous directorial venture, 3.

The music of the film has been composed by none other than AR Rahman, who has collaborated with Rajinikanth in several films, such as Muthu, Sivaji, Enthiran, and 2.0. The film has four songs, which have been penned by lyricists Vivek and Madhan Karky. The songs have been sung by singers like Sid Sriram, Shreya Ghoshal, Benny Dayal, and Chinmayi. The songs have been well-received by the audience and have added to the hype of the film.

Lal Salaam marks Rajinikanth’s return to the big screen after Jailer

Lal Salaam is the first film of Rajinikanth to release in 2024, after his blockbuster hit Jailer, which released in December 2023. Jailer, directed by Nelson Dilipkumar, was a crime thriller that showcased Rajinikanth in a dual role of a police officer and a gangster. The film was a huge success at the box office and received critical acclaim for its story, direction, and performances.

Rajinikanth has several other projects lined up for the future, including Vettaiyan and Thalaivar 171. Vettaiyan, directed by TJ Gnanavel, is an action drama that features Rajinikanth in the role of a vigilante. The film also stars Amitabh Bachchan, Fahadh Faasil, Rana Daggubati, Manju Warrier, Ritika Singh, and Dushara Vijayan. The film is expected to release in April 2024. Thalaivar 171, directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, is a mystery thriller that features Rajinikanth in the role of a detective. The film also stars Vijay Sethupathi, Nayanthara, Samantha Akkineni, and Nawazuddin Siddiqui. The film is expected to release in December 2024.