Thug Life Movie Review: Kamal Haasan’s Gangster Drama Gets a Lukewarm Opening

Thug Life Movie Review is the trending topic today, with Kamal Haasan’s much-hyped gangster drama finally hitting theatres. Directed by legendary filmmaker Mani Ratnam, the film brings the duo back together after 37 years since their cult classic Nayakan. But despite the grand reunion, early reactions from audiences and critics suggest a rather mixed reception.

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Released across India with special 9 am shows approved by the Tamil Nadu government, the film opened to massive expectations. The box office numbers, however, haven’t fully lived up to the hype. With Rs 4.93 crore collected in advance bookings and a total Day 1 projection around Rs 8–9 crore, the film has performed below earlier Kamal Haasan starrers like Vikram and Indian 2. The Karnataka ban—imposed after controversial statements by Kamal Haasan—also appears to have dented the film’s reach.

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The story of Thug Life follows a gritty narrative set in a gangster backdrop, with Kamal Haasan leading the ensemble. Trisha Krishnan, Silambarasan TR, Abhirami, Aishwarya Lekshmi, and Nassar form a strong cast. However, audiences have noted that some characters, especially Trisha’s, feel underutilized. Simbu delivers a solid performance, but viewers feel his role was limited due to weak writing.

What Worked and What Didn’t in Thug Life Movie Review

From a technical perspective, Thug Life impresses in terms of production quality. The cinematography by Ravi K Chandran and the action sequences choreographed by Anbariv have received praise. Mani Ratnam’s signature style shows sparks, especially in the film’s initial setup. But the narrative fails to maintain the momentum. The second half, in particular, is being widely criticized as slow, predictable, and emotionally flat.

AR Rahman’s music, which usually elevates Mani Ratnam films, has surprisingly been called a letdown this time. Viewers feel the background score is out of sync with the visuals and lacks emotional depth.

Many social media users have expressed their disappointment, calling the movie a “boring gangster drama” that had potential but didn’t live up to it. Though some fans appreciated Kamal Haasan’s commanding presence, they also felt that the film lacked a solid emotional core and sharp screenplay.

Conclusion:

Thug Life may have all the ingredients for a cinematic hit — a legendary director-actor duo, a powerful cast, high production value — but based on the Thug Life Movie Review buzz, it seems to fall short of expectations. The film has its moments but is let down by a slow and predictable narrative. Only time will tell if word-of-mouth can help turn things around in the coming days.