Legendary filmmaker Mani Ratnam and actor Kamal Haasan have teamed up after 36 long years, creating massive buzz with their new film Thug Life. Set to release on June 5, this pan-Indian film is already being called a future cult classic.
A.R. Rahman Adds His Musical Magic
The music of Thug Life is composed by Oscar-winning musician A.R. Rahman, adding more weight to the already star-studded project. With powerful background scores and trending songs, Rahman’s contribution is expected to elevate the cinematic experience.
Star-Studded Cast with Kamal Haasan as a Powerful Lead
Kamal Haasan plays Rangaraya Sakthivel Nayakkar, a character that has become a hot topic even before the release. The film also features a strong ensemble cast:
- Silambarasan T.R. (STR)
- Joju George
- Trisha
- Nassar
- Ashok Selvan
- Abhirami
- Aishwarya Lekshmi
- Sanya Malhotra
This is the duo’s first collaboration since Nayakan (1987), a film considered a landmark in Indian cinema.
Early Review Calls It a “Cult Classic Thriller”
Film critic Umair Sandhu watched the Hindi version during a censor screening in Mumbai and shared his thoughts on social media. He called Thug Life a “cult classic thriller” with gripping action and top-notch performances. Sandhu especially praised the chemistry between Kamal Haasan and STR, calling their scenes “goosebump-inducing.”
He rated the film 3.5 out of 5 stars and labeled the Rahman-Ratnam combo as “deadly.”
Controversy in Karnataka Delays Release
Despite the hype, Thug Life faced backlash in Karnataka over Kamal Haasan’s past remark about the Tamil roots of the Kannada language. Kannada groups protested and demanded an apology. Kamal and his MNM party supporters stood firm, refusing to apologize.
Although Kamal Haasan sought legal help to allow the release in Karnataka, the court did not rule in his favor. The film’s release in the state has now been postponed until June 10.
Hype Remains Unstoppable
Even with the controversy, Thug Life continues to draw huge attention. Advanced ticket bookings are soaring, and fans are thrilled about the Rahman soundtrack. Industry experts say it could follow the success path of Kamal’s previous hit Vikram
