The much-anticipated gangster drama Thug Life, directed by Mani Ratnam and starring Kamal Haasan, has finally hit theatres, marking their reunion after 38 years since the cult classic Nayakan (1987). However, early reactions suggest that the film fails to recreate the magic of their previous collaboration, leaving many fans disappointed.
The film follows Rangaraya Shaktivel (Kamal Haasan), a feared gangster in Old Delhi, who adopts Amar (Silambarasan TR) after a tragic police shootout orphaned him. Amar grows up under Shaktivel’s mentorship, but as power dynamics shift, he turns against his mentor, leading to a high-stakes betrayal and revenge saga.
Despite the film’s grand promotions, including 50 interviews, multiple events, and press conferences, audiences have expressed disappointment over its predictable storyline and slow pacing. While performances by Trisha and Silambarasan TR have been praised, the film’s second half loses steam, making it feel like an incoherent spectacle.
The film boasts stunning cinematography by Ravi K Chandran, intense action sequences, and a soul-stirring soundtrack by AR Rahman. However, fans were upset that some songs, including Muttha Mazhai, were cut from the theatrical release.
While Thug Life has drawn massive crowds in Tamil Nadu, its release in Karnataka was postponed due to backlash over Kamal Haasan’s remarks linking Kannada’s origins to Tamil. The controversy led to protests, affecting the film’s business in the region.
Despite its star-studded cast and high expectations, Thug Life has received mixed reviews, with many feeling it falls short of Mani Ratnam’s usual brilliance. Will it manage to sustain momentum at the box office, or will word-of-mouth impact its run? Time will tell.
