Thug Life (2025) Movie ft. Kamal and Mani

Thug Life brings back the legendary duo of Kamal Haasan and Mani Ratnam after 37 long years since their masterpiece Nayakan. The gangster action drama features Kamal Haasan, Silambarasan TR, Trisha Krishnan, and a stellar supporting cast. Released on June 5, 2025, with a massive budget of ₹200 crores, this film promised to be the cinematic event of the year.

Plot and Story

Set in 1994 Delhi, the story follows Sakthivel (Kamal Haasan), a powerful gang leader who rescues young Amaran during a violent shootout. Years later, when Amaran (Silambarasan TR) grows up as Sakthivel’s adopted son, a betrayal changes everything. An assassination attempt on Sakthivel leads to suspicion and revenge, turning mentor against protégé.

The basic premise sounds promising for a gangster drama. However, I found the storyline quite predictable and lacking fresh perspectives on familiar crime drama elements.

Performance Analysis

Kamal Haasan delivers his trademark powerful performance as Sakthivel. His screen presence and charisma carry much of the film, proving why he remains one of India’s finest actors. I was particularly impressed by how he embodied the aging gangster with such conviction.

Silambarasan TR starts well but his character loses steam in the second half. The emotional payoff I expected from his character arc never really materializes, which was disappointing given the central conflict.

Trisha Krishnan appears in a romantic subplot that feels unnecessary. I couldn’t understand why her talented performance was wasted on such an underdeveloped character that adds little to the main story.

Direction and Technical Excellence

Mani Ratnam’s direction shows flashes of his signature style, but something feels missing. While his visual storytelling remains impressive, the emotional depth that makes his films special isn’t quite there.

Ravi K. Chandran’s cinematography is absolutely stunning. The gritty Delhi streets, moody lighting, and action sequences create an immersive gangster world. Every frame looks carefully crafted and visually appealing.

A.R. Rahman’s music disappointed me, which is rare for a Mani Ratnam collaboration. While Jinguchaa and Sugar Baby are decent, the overall soundtrack lacks the magic we expect from this combo.

Critical Reception

The film received mixed-to-negative reviews from critics:

Rotten Tomatoes shows 31% critics score and mixed audience reactions. IMDb ratings stand at 4.3/10, indicating polarized reception.

Professional critics gave varied ratings – Tamil Guardian awarded 4/5 stars while Great Andhra gave only 2/5 stars. Most reviews praised the cinematography but criticized the weak screenplay.

Box Office Performance

Despite opening with high expectations, Thug Life underperformed at the box office. The film grossed ₹89 crore worldwide in its first week against a ₹200 crore budget. International markets showed significant drops due to poor audience reception.

Netflix acquired streaming rights for ₹149.7 crore, helping producers minimize losses. However, theatrical performance remained disappointing.

What Works

Strong cinematography and visual appeal make the film watchable. Kamal Haasan’s performance remains the film’s biggest strength. Production values are top-notch throughout. Some action sequences are well-choreographed and engaging.

What Doesn’t Work

Weak screenplay and predictable plot disappoint viewers. Poor pacing makes the film drag, especially in the second half. Character development feels incomplete for most supporting roles. A.R. Rahman’s music doesn’t meet expectations.

My Final Thoughts

Thug Life is a missed opportunity that doesn’t justify the 37-year wait since Nayakan. While Kamal Haasan’s performance and stunning visuals provide some entertainment value, the weak writing and predictable story prevent it from becoming the masterpiece fans hoped for.

I wanted to love this film given the legendary collaboration, but it left me feeling disappointed. The technical excellence can’t mask the fundamental storytelling problems that plague the narrative.

For Kamal Haasan fans, his performance alone might make it worth a watch. However, those expecting another Nayakan-level classic will likely leave the theater unsatisfied.

Rating: 2.5/5

The film works as a one-time watch for its visual appeal and lead performance, but it’s far from the cinematic event it promised to be.