Thug Life Review: Kamal Haasan Shines, Story Falters

Mani Ratnam and Kamal Haasan reignited cinematic excitement with Thug Life, their long-awaited reunion after nearly four decades since Nayakan. The film generated massive anticipation in India and overseas. With its theatrical release on June 5, 2025, it entered a crowded landscape of gangster dramas but carried the weight of historic expectations.
Audiences flocked to theaters hoping for another masterpiece. The film delivered striking visuals, larger-than-life characters, and intense performances. Yet, many walked away with mixed feelings. Some hailed it as a cinematic marvel, while others criticized its weak storytelling and underdeveloped characters.
The Haasan-Ratnam Reunion: A Cinematic Event
When Kamal Haasan and Mani Ratnam collaborate, the world takes notice. Their earlier work, Nayakan, earned global acclaim and solidified both as giants of Indian cinema. In Thug Life, they attempted to recapture the gritty spirit of that earlier era, while injecting modern narrative elements.
Kamal Haasan portrayed Rangaraya Sakthivel Nayakkar, a weathered, enigmatic gangster driven by loyalty and vengeance. He dominated every frame with calculated power. His performance carried the emotional weight of the film. He brought nuance to the character through expressive silences, fiery monologues, and physical transformation.
Mani Ratnam orchestrated the visuals and tone of the film with meticulous care. He directed battle scenes with surgical precision and infused intimate moments with psychological tension. He created a world filled with ambition, betrayal, and violence, but he often lost sight of emotional depth in the quest for spectacle.
STR Delivers the Unexpected Punch
Silambarasan TR, also known as STR, stunned viewers with his electric performance. His role, though initially underplayed, exploded in the film’s first half. He delivered impactful dialogue with fiery energy and moved with precision through action scenes. His character injected adrenaline into a film that otherwise moved at a deliberate pace.
Fans cheered his sequences and labeled them as highlights of the film. STR’s charisma and screen presence earned spontaneous applause in theaters. His scenes in the first half built momentum and heightened expectations. However, the story pivoted away from his arc, leaving audiences wanting more.
A Visually Captivating Yet Uneven Narrative
Mani Ratnam painted every frame like a canvas. The cinematography captured urban decay, rural landscapes, and nostalgic flashbacks with elegance. The lighting, set design, and camera movement showcased high craftsmanship. However, the narrative framework lacked the same polish.
The plot introduced complex characters with layered motivations. In the beginning, the film promised a gripping tale of power struggles and generational shifts. Yet, the screenplay drifted in the second half. Dialogue lost sharpness. Conflicts resolved too quickly. The emotional arcs felt rushed and unearned.
The film failed to maintain its tension. Many viewers left feeling the buildup lacked proper resolution. Rather than crescendoing into a satisfying climax, the story stumbled toward its ending. Mani Ratnam aimed for grandeur but sacrificed storytelling coherence in the process.
Controversy Overshadows Karnataka Release
The film faced intense backlash before its release in Karnataka. During a promotional event, Kamal Haasan made comments about linguistic origins that angered pro-Kannada groups. The remarks triggered protests and legal actions. Eventually, the Karnataka High Court stayed the film’s release in the state.
While fans in Tamil Nadu and other regions celebrated the film’s release, many in Karnataka expressed frustration. In border areas like Hosur, fans burst firecrackers and organized viewings to defy the ban. The controversy hurt the film’s box office potential in Karnataka, but it added to its national visibility.
Box Office Performance: A Strong Start Despite Hurdles
Thug Life opened to strong numbers across Tamil Nadu and overseas markets. It recorded over ₹6 crore in advance bookings. On Day 1, it grossed more than ₹9 crore by evening, even without Karnataka’s contribution. The film drew large crowds in multiplexes and single screens alike.
The first-weekend projections looked promising. The film captured the attention of younger audiences with its stylized action and older fans with its legacy appeal. Despite critical debate, the movie achieved commercial momentum. Kamal Haasan’s star power and Mani Ratnam’s brand continued to command market trust.
Music and Technical Brilliance
A.R. Rahman composed the background score and songs for Thug Life. While some expected iconic tracks like those in Roja or Dil Se, Rahman delivered more understated compositions. He focused on mood rather than melody. His background score added tension and emotion to several scenes, particularly during confrontations and flashbacks.
The sound design played a crucial role in elevating action sequences. Explosions, gunshots, and crowd noises felt immersive. Editor Sreekar Prasad cut the film with rhythm, keeping viewers engaged even during slow stretches. Cinematographer Ravi K. Chandran framed every scene with texture and movement, especially in low-light interiors and cityscapes.
Underwhelming Use of Female Characters
Despite casting talented actresses like Trisha Krishnan, Abhirami, and Aishwarya Lekshmi, the film underused its female leads. Their characters appeared in short, underdeveloped scenes. They offered emotional support or exposition but lacked agency.
Trisha’s character seemed to promise complexity in early trailers. However, in the final cut, she faded into the background. Abhirami and Aishwarya played marginal roles with little narrative impact. The film’s male-centric storylines overshadowed their potential.
This imbalance disappointed many critics who expected Mani Ratnam to maintain his past reputation for writing strong female roles, as seen in Alaipayuthey and Kannathil Muthamittal.
Audience Reactions: Polarized But Passionate
Social media exploded with mixed reactions after the premiere. Fans praised Kamal Haasan’s performance, STR’s energy, and the overall cinematic experience. Many defended the film’s flaws, emphasizing its ambition and artistry.
Others criticized the screenplay’s pacing, lack of emotional payoff, and underwritten characters. Reddit and Twitter featured heated debates. Some users shared memes about the film’s slow second half, while others applauded the visual grandeur and theater-worthy moments.
This polarity reflected the same pattern seen in other big-budget films—those that aim high, deliver selectively, and divide opinion. The film became a conversation starter, even among those who disliked it.
What Lies Ahead for “Thug Life”
Industry insiders expect Thug Life to arrive on Netflix by early August 2025. The digital release could revive interest among those who skipped it in theaters. The film might find a second life on streaming platforms, where viewers can revisit scenes and engage in slow-burn analysis.
Kamal Haasan plans to continue collaborating with new filmmakers and may direct a sequel or spin-off if the film sustains momentum. STR, after his breakout in this film, already lined up two new action projects. Mani Ratnam remains committed to exploring large-format stories, though critics urge him to reconnect with emotional storytelling.
Conclusion: A Stylish Epic With Missed Emotional Depth
Thug Life entertains with power-packed performances, striking visuals, and moments of sheer brilliance. Kamal Haasan showcases his timeless charisma. STR brings explosive energy. Mani Ratnam orchestrates grand scenes with cinematic mastery.
Yet, the film stumbles when it tries to balance style with substance. The narrative weakens midway. The supporting characters lack development. The promise of a timeless gangster saga fades into a visually stunning but narratively hollow experience.
In the end, Thug Life deserves applause for ambition. It reignites a classic collaboration and gives audiences memorable moments. But it also reminds viewers that grandeur needs grounding—and spectacle alone cannot carry a story home.