Stunning visuals and thrilling action impress, but a predictable plot and uneven pacing disappoint. Is this Mani Ratnam film worth your time? Read full review to find out!
In a Nutshell
• Story
• Positives and Negatives of Thug Life
• Negatives of Thug Life
• Karnataka Ban
• Box Office Expectations
• Final Thoughts
• Who Should and Should Not Watch Thug Life
As a Tamil cinema enthusiast, I was buzzing with excitement when I heard about Thug Life, the much-awaited reunion of two legends, Kamal Haasan and Mani Ratnam. Their 1987 cult classic Nayakan is the gold standard for storytelling and raw emotion in Indian cinema, so this 2025 gangster action drama had the burden of expectations to carry.
I grabbed my popcorn, got comfortable in the theater, and hoped for a cinematic experience all the buzz was about.
After viewing Thug Life, I left with mixed feelings—glad for some of it, upset about a lot more. That is my review of the film, penned from the heart for those who want to know if this movie is worth the price of admission.
A Tale of Power and Betrayal
Thug Life is a Tamil crime drama gangster film that descends into the world of crime, loyalty, and family. The movie is about Rangaraya Sakthivel Nayakkar (played by Kamal Haasan), a notorious gangster who is believed to have been killed, coming back to battle his estranged son Amaran (Silambarasan TR), who is now a prominent figure of the underworld.
The film explores their fiery father-son confrontation, throwing in revenge, redemption, and betrayal. With a star-studded cast of Trisha Krishnan, Abhirami, Joju George, and others, the film will be a grand showstopper with the music of the iconic A.R. Rahman, the cinematography of Ravi K. Chandran, and the direction of Mani Ratnam.
The Good: Exceptional Performances and Visual Grandeur
Beginning with the highlights, Kamal Haasan, as anticipated, is the highlight of Thug Life. His acting as Rangaraya is a masterclass—one of intensity, vulnerability, and charisma. Whether it’s delivering emotional monologues or diving into action sequences, Kamal draws out the best even from the worst of the film. His range in transitioning from an old gangster to a troubled father is riveting, a testament that he is a living legend.
One of the most memorable sequences is an adrenaline-fueled car chase between Kamal and Joju George that had me holding my seat for a good five minutes. It’s unadulterated adrenaline, skillfully choreographed, and a highlight of the movie.
Silambarasan TR, or STR, is another plus. His presence, accompanied by the thrilling “O Maara” song, is a mass moment that got the theater in raptures. STR is a whirlwind of energy as Amaran, going toe-to-toe with Kamal in their fiery confrontations. His screen presence is magnetic, and his action scenes, particularly in the interval block, are incendiary. STR fans will be delighted to have him back in his element, looking fit and making a presence felt in each frame.
The technicalities of the film are a delight. Ravi K. Chandran’s photography is stunning, from the arid North Indian deserts to the grimy cityscapes with vivid clarity. The opening 15 minutes of the film feature a striking black-and-white retro segment which sets the tone of the film while also serving as a captivating visual showcase.
A.R. Rahman’s background score, while not his best, lends gravitas to important scenes, especially the action sequences. Production design is top-notch, and there are gigantic sets that bring the fantasy town to the screen. These turn Thug Life into an eye-treat, even when the story falters.
The Not-So-Good: Predictable Plot and Unbalanced Pacing
For all its virtues, Thug Life is no Nayakan. The biggest letdown is the plot, which is too formulaic and predictable. If you have watched classic films like The Godfather or even Nayakan, you will spot the same clichés: a strong mafia, an aspiring apprentice, betrayal resulting in conflict and warfare.
Mani Ratnam usually nails those gut-punch emotions even when the story feels a bit “been there, done that,” but honestly, Thug Life just kind of fizzles out on that front. The feels? Not really landing this time. The first half gets off to a flying start with intriguing setups, but plods along with long monologues and subplots that don’t need to be there.
The second half, unfortunately, falters completely. The rhythm plods, and the emotional punches don’t connect as they ought to.
The on-screen romance between Kamal Haasan’s character and Trisha is awkward and unnatural. With a 29-year age gap between actors, these scenes rolled eyes on the internet, and I agree that they are awkward. Trisha’s character is underwritten, though, so she doesn’t have much to do but look pretty.
The rest of the supporting cast, such as Abhirami and Ashok Selvan, are pleasant but are not given enough space to make their mark.
Honestly, A.R. Rahman’s music here just doesn’t hit the same highs—it’s got a few nice moments, but for the most part, it feels all over the place. Nowhere near the jaw-dropping stuff he’s pulled off with Mani Ratnam before. Kind of surprising, right?
And, man, even Mani Ratnam himself seems a bit off his game this time. The direction feels a little flat, like the spark’s missing. Not the same energy as his classics, that’s for sure.
His fans expect his films to blend raw emotion with trendy storytelling, but Thug Life is surprisingly lifeless at times. Mani and Kamal’s script is full of flashes of brilliance but is marred by clichéd twists and excessive talking. I was still hoping for a powder keg, game-changing spectacle in the second half, but it never came, and I remained disappointed.
The Controversy: Karnataka Ban and Kamal’s Comments
Thug Life was already catching heat even before it hit theaters, all thanks to some drama brewing in Karnataka. So, picture this: Kamal Haasan, during a promo gig, just casually drops the bomb that Kannada supposedly comes from Tamil. Yeah, you can imagine how well that went over—folks were quick to call him out, saying he got his history wrong and, honestly, the whole thing just rubbed a lot of people the wrong way.
The Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce issued a threat to apologize or face a banning of the film.
Kamal stood his ground, not issuing an apology, and the Karnataka release of the film was suspended until June 10, 2025. This did not dent the excitement of his fans (some of them even celebrated outside Bengaluru cinemas), but it dented the box office prospects of the film in the state. This melodrama was an additional marketing gimmick, but what a shame it diverted the spotlight from the film.
Box Office and Expectations
In spite of the hype, Thug Life was nowhere close to the pre-bookings of Kamal’s recent releases like Vikram (2022) or Mani Ratnam’s Ponniyin Selvan. The movie had already made ₹6 crore in India and ₹13.5 crore globally on pre-bookings as of June 3, 2025, decent but by no means spectacular.
The Karnataka ban probably had something to do with it, though the modest figures indicate viewers were gun-shy after mixed reviews early on. Nevertheless, the star power of the movie and technical wizardry ensure it is a candidate for a solid box office performance, particularly in Tamil Nadu and overseas markets like North America.
Final Thoughts: A Mixed Bag with Moments of Magic
Thug Life is a movie that promises much and partly delivers. Kamal Haasan and Silambarasan TR? Absolute beasts on screen—no question. And yeah, the film looks slick as hell, whoever handled the tech side deserves a fancy coffee or something. But, man, that plot? I saw every twist coming a mile away. The second half just drags its feet like a kid on Monday morning. Kind of lost me there.
Don’t get me wrong, it’s not a disaster or anything. But you mention Nayakan or even Mani Ratnam’s Ponniyin Selvan in the same breath? Nah, this one’s not even in the same stadium, let alone the same game. There are moments—mad energy, Kamal just eating up the screen—but I kept wishing someone had tightened up the script and thrown in a little more heart.
So, yeah, I’m sticking with 2.5 out of 5. It’s worth a watch if you’re a fan, but don’t expect to have your mind blown.
Who Is Thug Life For?
Kamal Haasan and Silambarasan Fans: If Kamal’s powerful performance or STR’s mass connect excites you, then this film is a treat. Both of them perform exceptionally well, making it all the more watch-worthy.
Action Movie Fans: The car chases? Absolutely wild. The fight scenes? Chef’s kiss. That interval block—man, it hits hard. If you’re into stuff blowing up and people running from explosions for no real reason, you’re going to eat this up.
Mani Ratnam Fans: This isn’t peak Mani. You’re not getting another Nayakan or anything, let’s be real. But hey, the man’s still got that magic touch here and there. The visuals? Gorgeous. The retro vibes? Pretty cool. So yeah, you’ll find a few gems if you squint past the rough edges.
Tamil Cinema Fans: If you’re looking for the major Tamil cinema releases, Thug Life is worth seeing for its star power and cultural buzz.
Who Shouldn’t Live Thug Life?
Fast-Paced Fiction Enthusiasts: If you like brief, unexpected plots, the slow pace and formulaic structure will be infuriating.
Sensitive to Age-Gap Romances: The love scenes between Kamal and Trisha feels awkward and will be cringe-worthy to some.
Audiences Seeking Depth in Feelings: If you prefer a highly emotional film such as Nayakan, Thug Life will lack depth due to its weak emotional base.
In the end, Thug Life is a film that rode on its stars and technical strengths but weakens on its storytelling. If you are a Kamal or Mani Ratnam fan, catch it in the theatres.
Or maybe you’d rather wait and see the Netflix release in August 2025 and then go ahead and decide if it’s your cup of tea.
In one word don’t keep high hopes from Thug Life.
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Also Read : Thug Life Advance Booking Begins: Grand Premiere to Follow Karnataka Ban Row.
