A little over a month since the release of 2.0, Rajinikanth is back with his next offering, Petta. While the megastar's last few outings - including Kaala (2018) and Kabali (2016) - were a departure from the commercial fares he is usually associated with, director Karthik Subbaraj promises that his latest venture showcases Rajinikanth in the avatar that his fans admire him the most in - a larger-than-life hero.

As the movie hits screens today, Subbaraj says, "I can't comment on his previous films, but I felt they were missing his swagger and style. In Petta, Rajini sir is playing to the gallery. I feel he will recreate his magic with this film. While writing the script, all the ingredients of a Rajinikanth special came in naturally." Assured of the movie's mass appeal, the director zeroed in on Pongal as the release date - it is Thalaiva's first Pongal release in over two decades since the runaway hit Baashha (1995).