Jailer 2 screenings cancelled at Canadian theatres. Why has York Cinemas stopped showing Rajinikanth's movie?

Rajinikanth's Jailer 2 has grossed Rs 200 crore in its overseas collection. But the movie is facing a setback in Canada. Recently, York Cinemas has announced that it will stop screening the action comedy movie from October 21. It cited a technical issue. Meanwhile reports claim that the theatre completed its financial commitments but was unable to continue screening as authorisation and keys had not been given by the distributors and production company.

Why has York Cinemas cancelled Jailer 2 screenings?

In a social media announcement, York Cinemas confirmed that Jailer 2 would no longer be screened at its venue from Wednesday, October 21. The theatre attributed the decision to circumstances beyond its control, explaining that it had fulfilled all required payments but had not received the valid KDMs, or Key Delivery Messages, needed to continue showing the film.

According to the theatre, the North American distributors, Shloka Entertainments and Prathyangira Cinemas, had not provided the required KDMs following authorization from the film's production company, Sun Pictures. Without these digital keys, the cinema said it was technically unable to screen the movie.


York Cinemas also maintained that it had made every effort to resolve the issue and keep the screenings running, but the necessary authorization had not come through. York Cinemas had been screening Jailer 2 across Canada in Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Quebec, Nova Scotia, Saskatchewan, Yukon Territory and Prince Edward Island.

What York Cinemas said about the Jailer 2 screening halt

In its statement to patrons, the Canadian theatre apologised for the inconvenience and disappointment caused by the cancellation. It stressed that the decision was not due to a failure to meet its financial obligations, noting that all required payments had been completed.

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The theatre further explained that valid KDMs were essential to continue screening Jailer 2. Since the required keys had not been received from the distributors after the necessary production-company authorization, the cinema said it had no technical means of continuing the screenings.

York Cinemas thanked its patrons for their patience and continued support, while apologising that its efforts to resolve the matter had not resulted in the film remaining on its schedule.

Box office success of Jailer 2

Even after sixth day of its release, Rajinikanth’s Jailer 2 continued its impressive box office run, taking its worldwide gross collection to Rs 541 crore. The movie was released on October 15 worldwide. On Day 6, Jailer 2 collected Rs 45.55 crore in net earnings in India, taking its total domestic net collection to Rs 287.80 crore, box-office tracker Sacnilk reported. Its cumulative India gross collection has reached Rs 337 crore, underlining the film’s strong performance in the domestic market.

The film has also recorded a significant contribution from international markets like America and Cananda. It earned Rs 10 crore overseas on Day 6 from international markets, pushing its total overseas gross collection to 204 crore.

Directed by Nelson Dilipkumar, Jailer 2 is the sequel to the 2023 blockbuster Jailer, which was also a major commercial success. The latest instalment also brings Rajinikanth back as retired jailer Tiger Muthuvel Pandian.

The story follows Pandian as a dangerous new criminal empire threatens his peaceful family life, forcing him once again to protect his loved ones and legacy.

The film also stars Vidya Balan, Ramya Krishnan and Suraj Venjaramoodu. Mohanlal, Vijay Sethupathi and Hrithik Roshan also appear in cameos. Anirudh Ravichander has composed the music of the movie while it has been produced by Kalanithi Maran under the Sun Pictures banner.