Thug Life

Yep, this is the weakest storytelling I've ever seen in a Mani Ratnam film. Even Kadal and Kaatru Veliyidai come across as better (storytelling) efforts in comparison. What the heck happened to Kamal Haasan? Just because Vikram worked, he's decidedly gone the "action hero" route, playing roles with zero emotional depth or connect. Rangaraya Sakthivel is a cardboard cutout, and so is the entire bunch of characters that revolve around him. The actors (Simbu and Joju George, especially) try their best to rise above the wafer-thin script, offering mild hopes in the first half. But you're in for the most generic revenge-action-drama in the second.

The action blocks (choreographed by Anbariv) are not individually terrible -- in fact, there are a couple of standout attempts, such as a train station fight and a car chase that concludes at the Red Fort, which are quite exciting. ARR's score was really oscillating both ways -- solid as well as subpar (the whole snow sequence had me cringing like hell). Some of the songs are good too, like Jinguchaa, adding a little zing to the overall dull proceedings. Anju Vanna Poove is such a nice track, but the way the film incorporates bits and pieces of it in a scattered way didn't win me over.

Thug Life starts solidly, with a well-done flashback sequence presented in monochrome. The de-aging work is appreciable too; I'm almost sensing a pattern here. In films that get the de-aging process right, the rest of the VFX (like an avalanche sequence) is often so shoddy. The characterizations of Indrani (Trisha), Amar (Simbu), and Dr. Anna (Aishwarya Lekshmi) only look fascinating on the surface. Deep down, they're all one-note with a specific purpose to fulfill.

DoP Ravi K Chandran offers some spectacular frames, though sadly, the film's screenplay doesn't do justice. I'm really appalled by (National Award Winner) Sreekar Prasad's edit work in the film; there's hardly any connective tissue between scenes. Everything is simply stacked together, with no sense of emotional understanding. The larger blame definitely goes to the script (co-written by Ratnam and Haasan), but still. What was even that embarrassment of a climax? Gosh.

This gangster movie is full of wonderful locations, sets, songs, visuals, bgm but if you're not a Kamal Hassan fan there's little for you to empathize with.

Mani Ratnam's trade mark dialogues and ARR's pumped up score do add a lot of sizzle to this stylish gangster movie. Simbu gives a rooted performance that has complex emotions to act upon.

The cinematography and editing are fantastic especially in the song sequences that are slickly intercut with action.

The action itself is visceral and after a point a little exhausting rather than exhilarating. Maybe it's intentional. Maybe it's meant to remind us that all violence is eventually futile.

It's not preachy though and that's a saving grace. The emotions run by very quickly and have too little an impact to carry the core of the movie through while it's clawing its way out of a revenge saga.

There's no lack of back stabbing analogies from the Mughals to the Mahabharata. But the love stories in this movie are the weakest links in it unfortunately. Especially given how much as a Mani Ratnam fan you expect this fairytale romance out of his movies. If only he spent a little more time on them to make us feel something when the love falls prey to violence it would have been the masterpiece that I was expecting from this duo.

Still worth your time. A little more heart would have made it great.

Thug Life (2025) - 40%

One Of The Worst Films Of 2025... I Still Don't Want To Believe That Legends Mani Ratnam & Kamal Haasan Who Have Given Us The Masterpiece Nayakan Collaborated For Such A Film... What Had Happened To Them While Writing & Filming This One... Didn't They Felt What They Are Making? Also What An Actress Like Trisha Was Doing In The Film Is Beyond My Understanding... She Had Been Completely Wasted & Same Goes For Ali Fazal... A. R. Rahman's Music Is Good, But The Background Score Many A Times Doesn't Match The Visuals On Screen... The Character Of Silambarasan & Haasan Aren't Even Developed Properly & As A Result, You Do Not Connect With Them At Any Juncture In The Film... The Few Plus Points Apart From Music Are Cinematography & Action Blocks... Overall, This One's A Huge Disappointment... Avoid At All Cost.

Thug Life isn't a good film, unfortunately. The basic idea and characters had real potential, but it feels like they never got developed into a solid story. Instead, a bunch of random, outdated elements were shoved in, making it feel more confused than compelling.

The screenplay is dull and lifeless-not a single scene leaves an impact, and none of the character arcs feel complete or satisfying. A few songs are genuinely good... but guess what? They got edited out. The background score works in a couple of places but mostly stays below average.

Casting? A total mismatch. It honestly feels like tier-two actors would've done a better job. Even Kamal Haasan and Trisha don't really shine here. The only one who makes an impression is Aishwarya Lekshmi-and she's barely in the film. Shimbu and Trisha at least look good; their makeup department deserves a pat on the back.

The cinematography and sets are a treat, though-they clearly got the best part of the budget. But when it comes to direction, it really doesn't feel like Maniratnam was behind the camera. Maybe an assistant was calling the shots this time? The "Sugar Baby" song also feels oddly put together, and the title line seems like it was slapped on during post-production.

Overall? Not worth your time. Maybe skip it and rewatch one of Maniratnam's classics instead.

I recently watched *Thug Life*, the much-anticipated film by Kamal Haasan, and I must say it was a bold and visually rich experience that left a lasting impression. The movie, directed by Mani Ratnam, marks a significant collaboration between the two legends after decades, following their iconic film *Nayakan*. Naturally, expectations were sky-high, and while the film might not be flawless, it delivers in many important ways, particularly in terms of performances, music, and visual storytelling.

The story follows Rangaraya Sakthivel Nayakkar, played by Kamal Haasan, as he navigates through the dark and dangerous underworld. The plot carries a mix of political tension, emotional weight, and gangster drama. Although the storyline occasionally slows down and some scenes feel unnecessarily stretched, the core of the narrative remains gripping. What kept me engaged throughout the film was the depth of the characters and the layered storytelling. Mani Ratnam has a distinct way of blending personal struggle with broader societal issues, and that style is evident here too, although the emotional impact isn't as strong as some of his earlier works.

Kamal Haasan, as always, delivers a compelling performance. His portrayal of Sakthivel is nuanced and grounded, showing both vulnerability and strength. Watching him carry such a complex character with effortless grace reminded me why he's considered one of the finest actors in Indian cinema. However, I think the real standout of the film is Silambarasan TR. He brings a raw, energetic presence to the screen that perfectly balances Kamal Haasan's more composed and introspective character. It's been said that Silambarasan performed some of the major action sequences despite health challenges, which makes his performance even more commendable. Trisha Krishnan also plays her role well, adding a strong emotional element to the story, though I wish her character had been given more depth and screen time.

One of the strongest elements of *Thug Life* is its cinematography. The visuals are striking, with gritty streets, moody lighting, and well-framed action sequences that bring the gangster world to life. The cinematographer, Ravi K. Chandran, does an excellent job of creating a dark and immersive atmosphere that complements the film's tone. Each frame feels carefully crafted, which helped maintain my interest even during slower parts of the story. The production design is equally impressive, with every detail-from costumes to set design-contributing to the film's gritty realism.

A. R. Rahman's music is another major highlight. The background score adds emotional weight to critical scenes, and the songs, especially "Jinguchaa" and "Sugar Baby," stay with you even after the film ends. Rahman knows how to match his music to a film's tone perfectly, and in *Thug Life*, he creates a soundscape that is both haunting and powerful.

As for the reception, the film seems to have drawn mixed reactions. Some viewers were blown away by the performances and technical brilliance, while others felt that the narrative didn't quite live up to the hype. I can understand both perspectives. For me, while the screenplay could have been tighter and the emotional connection stronger, the overall experience was still memorable. The opening day collections were solid, reflecting the strong anticipation surrounding the film.

In conclusion, *Thug Life* may not be a perfect film, but it's a well-crafted, intense gangster drama with standout performances and rich visuals. Kamal Haasan and Silambarasan TR are both excellent, and Mani Ratnam's direction shines in many scenes, even if the pacing could have been improved. If you enjoy gritty crime dramas and appreciate strong acting and top-notch cinematography, this movie is definitely worth watching.