Directed by:Mani Ratnam
Written by:Mani Ratnam,Kamal Haasan
Produced by:Kamal Haasan,R. Mahendran,Mani Ratnam,Siva Ananth,Udhayanidhi Stalin
Starring:Kamal Haasan,Silambarasan,Trisha Krishnan,Abhirami
Cinematography:Ravi K. Chandran
Edited by:A. Sreekar Prasad
Music by:A. R. Rahman
Production
companies:Raaj Kamal Films International,Madras TalkiesRed Giant Movies
Release date:5 June 2025
Thug Life is a Tamil-language gangster action drama film directed by Mani Ratnam, who co-wrote the script with Kamal Haasan. Produced by Raaj Kamal Films International, Madras Talkies and Red Giant Movies, the film stars Haasan, alongside Silambarasan, Trisha Krishnan, Abhirami, Aishwarya Lekshmi, Ashok Selvan, Joju George, Nassar, Ali Fazal, Rohit Saraf and Baburaj. It marks the reunion of Haasan and Ratnam after their previous film Nayakan (1987).
“Mani Ratnam and Kamal Haasan’s ‘Thug Life’ had promise but ultimately fell short due to a weak conflict that failed to make an impact. Despite the masterful combo, the film’s predictable plot and poorly utilized potential were major letdowns. The first half showcased Mani Ratnam’s signature touch with intriguing characters and setups, but it gradually lost steam.
The second half turned out to be one of the worst in Mani Ratnam’s career, with none of the characters leaving a lasting impression due to weak writing, except perhaps Kamal Haasan’s title character. Silambarasan TR’s Amaran had potential but was underutilized and predictable at times. Trisha’s character felt like a troll material, weakly written, and it’s puzzling how she agreed to the role.
The main conflict was unjustified and lacked strength, dragged out after a pre-interval point without adding much value. Some characters, like Ashok Selvan and Aishwarya Lekshmi, deserved more screen time but were wasted. The cinematography was a saving grace, making the visuals superb despite the lackluster scenes. AR Rahman’s songs and background score didn’t land well due to the film’s emotional weightlessness.
Bottomline
‘Thug Life’ failed to live up to expectations despite its talented cast and crew.”
