Movie Name : Thug Life
Release Date : June 05, 2025
123telugu.com Rating : 2.5/5
Starring : Kamal Haasan, Silambarasan TR, Trisha, Aishwarya Lekshmi, Ashok Selvan, Abhirami, Joju George, Nasser, Mahesh Manjrekar and others
Director : Mani Ratnam
Producers : Kamal Haasan, Mani Ratnam, R. Mahendran, Siva Ananth, Udhayanidhi Stalin
Music Director : A.R. Rahman
Cinematographer : Ravi K. Chandran
Editor : Sreekar Prasad
Related Links : Trailer
Thug Life, marking the much-hyped reunion between Kamal Haasan and Mani Ratnam, finally hits the big screens. With expectations sky-high, fans hoped for a gripping gangster drama with powerful performances. But does it deliver? Let’s find out.
Story:
Rangaraya Sakthiraju (Kamal Haasan) and Manikyam (Nassar) are powerful gangsters in New Delhi. During a shootout in his younger days, Sakthiraju discovers a child, Amar (Simbu), and raises him as his own. Years later, Sakthiraju ends up in jail, and Amar takes control of the empire. However, an unfortunate incident turns Amar against his mentor. Consumed by revenge, he allies with rival gang members to bring Sakthiraju down. What caused the fallout between the two? Will Sakthiraju survive? What’s Amar’s past and what happens to his family? The film attempts to answer these questions.
Plus Points:
Kamal Haasan delivers an okay performance. His dialogues, especially in confrontational scenes with Simbu and Nassar, are well-written and occasionally laced with dark humour. His appearance in multiple age phases, particularly the younger look, is a visual treat for fans.
Simbu is given a decent role and makes his presence felt, particularly in the first half. His chemistry with Kamal works in a few scenes, and their confrontations provide some engaging moments.
Abhirami does well with the limited screen time she’s given. Nassar impresses in a few moments, and while the rest of the supporting cast doesn’t stand out, they manage to fill their roles adequately.
Minus Points:
Despite the historic Kamal-Mani collaboration, Thug Life suffers from a wafer-thin, predictable storyline. Instead of building something fresh and memorable, the makers seem to rely entirely on star value and nostalgia.
Both Kamal and Mani serve as screenplay writers, yet the film lacks the sharpness or emotional weight that should come with such experienced names. The second half, in particular, feels painfully flat and uninspired.
Simbu’s character arc is disappointing. While he starts off strong, his role fizzles out in the latter half, with no real emotional payoff or progression – a major miss considering the importance of his character.
Trisha’s inclusion is puzzling. Her character adds nothing to the story and feels like a mere formality. It’s hard to understand why she took up such a thankless role – perhaps out of loyalty to Mani Ratnam.
Despite having a large canvas and an ensemble cast, the film underutilises talents like Ashok Selvan, Joju George, and Aishwarya Lekshmi. Their characters barely register – a surprising misstep in a Mani Ratnam film.
Technical Aspects:
Mani Ratnam fails to bring his trademark style and storytelling finesse. The screenplay, co-written with Kamal, feels sluggish and disjointed. AR Rahman, usually a strong pillar in their collaborations, delivers an underwhelming soundtrack and a background score that barely adds impact.
Kamal’s accent in some portions feels slightly forced. Editing is another drawback – the film needed tighter cuts and a shorter runtime. On the brighter side, the cinematography is serviceable, production values are decent, and the Telugu dubbing is cleanly done.
Verdict:
On the whole, Thug Life is a classic case of great potential gone unrealised. Despite the presence of legends like Kamal Haasan and Mani Ratnam, the film fails to engage, surprise, or emotionally move the audience. With no real novelty, weak character arcs, and an undercooked screenplay, it ends up being a tedious watch. Even for fans, this might be a disappointing outing. If you’re looking for a gripping crime saga or a vintage Mani Ratnam experience, you’re better off revisiting his classics.
123telugu.com Rating: 2.5/5
Reviewed by 123telugu Team
