Mani Ratnam and Kamal Haasan Return After 38 Years with a Bold and Gritty Gangster Drama
Thug Life brings together the iconic duo of Kamal Haasan and Mani Ratnam after a long gap of 38 years. Their last collaboration, Nayakan (1987), was critically acclaimed and is still remembered as a cult classic in Indian cinema. With Thug Life, fans were hopeful for the same cinematic brilliance, driven by Ratnam’s signature storytelling and Haasan’s powerful screen presence. The film also features a stellar supporting cast, including Silambarasan TR, Trisha Krishnan, Aishwarya Lekshmi, Ashok Selvan, Joju George, and more. Each actor contributes meaningfully to the gritty world of crime and betrayal that the film portrays.
Mani Ratnam crafts a layered narrative where loyalty, vengeance, and power struggles form the emotional core of the story. Kamal Haasan plays a mafia kingpin who seeks revenge after a deep betrayal, diving into the psychological complexity of a man wronged. The film attempts to blend stylish direction with intense emotional depth, creating a theatrical experience that aims to resonate with both mass and class audiences.
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Thug Life Box Office Collection Inches Towards ₹40 Crore Domestically as Global Earnings Cross ₹70 Crore
The Thug Life box office collection shows a consistent and encouraging trend across both domestic and international markets. On its opening day in India, the film grossed an impressive ₹15.5 crore, driven largely by advance bookings and the hype around the Kamal-Mani collaboration. As is common with many big-budget releases, there was a noticeable dip on the second day, with earnings dropping to ₹7.15 crore. However, the film bounced back on day three, collecting ₹6.50 crore due to Sunday footfall and strong word-of-mouth traction, especially in Tamil-speaking regions.
The film’s three-day total in India now stands at ₹36.90 crore net and ₹43 crore gross. Internationally, Thug Life has also performed reasonably well, earning ₹30 crore across key markets like the US, UAE, UK, Malaysia, and Singapore. These combined figures bring its global earnings to approximately ₹73 crore by the end of day four. With this momentum, the film is projected to cross the ₹100 crore mark in the coming week—provided regional controversies and distribution issues do not hinder its screening schedule.
Kamal Haasan’s Thug Life Still Behind Indian 2 in Global Numbers Despite a Star-Studded Cast
While the Thug Life box office collection is strong, it has not yet surpassed Kamal Haasan’s last release, Indian 2, which set the bar high with ₹113.55 crore in its first four days. The earlier film had a broader pan-India appeal and faced fewer external disruptions. In comparison, Thug Life has had to overcome critical scrutiny, divided audience opinions, and regional restrictions—especially in Karnataka. It’s worth noting that Indian 2 benefited from a larger marketing push and an extended festival weekend. Nonetheless, Thug Life may still catch up depending on how well it holds during weekdays and if the upcoming weekend sees another jump in viewership. Streaming and satellite rights will further bolster the film’s revenue potential.
Language Controversy Erupts After Kamal Haasan’s Remarks Trigger Strong Reactions Across Karnataka
The biggest controversy affecting the Thug Life box office collection stems from a statement Kamal Haasan made during a promotional event in Bengaluru. He commented that the Kannada language evolved from Tamil, a remark that triggered immediate outrage across Karnataka. Various Kannada activists and political groups accused him of cultural insensitivity, which led to widespread protests and calls for a boycott of the film. In response, the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) publicly urged Kamal Haasan to issue an unconditional apology to calm the growing unrest.
Although Haasan later clarified that his words were misunderstood and taken out of context, the backlash had already affected the film’s release. As a result, Thug Life was not screened in Karnataka—a state that typically contributes significantly to Tamil film revenues due to its large Tamil-speaking population. The cancellation of its release in this key region directly impacted ticket sales and limited the film’s overall audience reach, putting a dent in its box office performance.
Supreme Court Upholds Karnataka Ban Citing Threats to Law and Order from Protestors
The legal situation surrounding Thug Life worsened when distributors approached the Supreme Court, seeking to lift the release ban in Karnataka. However, the court rejected the appeal, citing credible threats of violence and potential arson from protest groups. The bench emphasized that public safety must take precedence over commercial interests, especially in light of intelligence reports warning of serious disruption if the film were released in the state.
This ruling dealt a significant blow to the Thug Life box office collection, as Karnataka represents a major market for Tamil films, with both multiplexes and single-screen cinemas contributing to box office revenue. Industry analysts estimate that the ban may have cost the film ₹10–₹15 crore in potential earnings. Despite this legal setback, the film’s producers remain optimistic. They are reportedly exploring options for a possible re-release in Karnataka if the situation improves and tensions subside.
Critical Reception Remains Mixed with Praise for Performances but Criticism for Inconsistent Pacing
The critical response to Thug Life has been a mixed bag. While Kamal Haasan’s intense performance has been unanimously praised, the film’s pacing and screenplay have received divided feedback. Some reviewers noted that the film takes time to build tension, which may not sit well with action-seeking audiences. Others appreciated Mani Ratnam’s nuanced direction, emphasizing mood and character depth over rapid plot development. Cinematic elements like framing, dialogue delivery, and background score have been commended, but the second half has been criticized for losing narrative focus. This mix of reactions has affected the word-of-mouth appeal of the film, which is crucial for sustained box office earnings in today’s crowded content landscape.
A.R. Rahman’s Score and Ravi K Chandran’s Cinematography Add High Production Value to Thug Life
The production quality of Thug Life stands out as one of its strongest aspects. A.R. Rahman delivers a compelling soundtrack that complements the film’s emotional intensity and dramatic highs. His use of orchestral and folk elements adds cultural texture to the film’s background score. Ravi K Chandran’s cinematography brings the gritty underworld of the film to life with sharp visuals and intelligent lighting. His work captures both the chaotic violence and the intimate moments with equal flair. Editing by A. Sreekar Prasad ensures that the film flows seamlessly, despite a layered plot. These technical strengths help offset the film’s slower pacing and maintain engagement, especially for a theatre-going audience.
Future Box Office Prospects Look Positive as Festival Season and Streaming Rights Await
Despite the early setbacks and controversy, the future of Thug Life looks promising. The film may benefit from the upcoming festival season, especially in South India, where family audiences often visit theatres in large numbers. Additionally, the producers are reportedly in talks with major OTT platforms for digital rights, which could further extend the film’s reach. This move could attract viewers who missed the theatrical release due to regional bans or mixed reviews. Merchandising, international screenings, and dubbed releases in Telugu and Hindi may also help boost the film’s profitability over time. If the current momentum continues, the Thug Life box office collection could cross ₹100 crore globally within the next ten days.
A Film with Star Power, Technical Brilliance, and Controversial Buzz That’s Hard to Ignore
Thug Life offers a complex mix of cinematic strengths and sociopolitical controversy. Kamal Haasan’s commanding performance, Mani Ratnam’s direction, and AR Rahman’s music form a powerful trio. While the film has not surpassed Indian 2 yet, it continues to hold its ground in a competitive box office environment. If it navigates legal and public hurdles successfully, the Thug Life box office collection could become one of 2025’s biggest stories in Indian cinema.
