Movie Name : Thug Life
Release Date : June 05, 2025
Cast : Kamal Haasan, Silambarasan TR, Trisha, Aishwarya Lekshmi, Ashok Selvan, Abhirami, Joju George, Nasser, Mahesh Manjrekar etc.
Director : Mani Ratnam
Music Director : A.R. Rahman
Telugumopo.com Rating : 2/5
Story:
Rangaraya Shaktiraju (Kamal Haasan) begins as a small underworld element in Delhi who eventually grows into a notorious gangster over a period of time. He takes on Amar (Silambarasan), whose father was murdered because of Shaktiraju, as a mentee and eventually adopts him.
As his empire grows, Shaktiraju makes many enemies but remains in control. However, when he is sent to prison for a murder case, Amar steps in to manage the operations temporarily.
By the time Shaktiraju returns, Amar has established himself as a powerful figure in his own right. This leads to a growing rift between them. How far does their conflict escalate? When mentor and disciple, or rather father and son, turn adversaries—who comes out on top? The rest of the story explores this gripping power struggle.
Review:
Veteran actor Kamal Haasan enters a part well-suited to his age and experience, and he brings a gravitas and dedication to it that fans are accustomed to. He gives the role his all, particularly in his own Telugu dubbing. Yet, Shaktiraj’s character cannot compare to depth or intensity of his mythic performances. Whereas some scenes provide him with opportunities to display his brilliance, others verge on the area of theatricality. The inconsistency in his look and journey, particularly during the second half, only serves to increase the dissonance.
Silambarasan’s performance, although much-hyped, does not live up to expectations. His appearance might be trendy, but the character is thinly developed and does not provide him with sufficient room to demonstrate his acting skills. Conversely, Abhirami leaves an impression in her brief appearance, once again demonstrating that screen presence is not a function of time. Trisha, although a feast for the eyes, is burdened with an underwritten character that does little to enhance the story. Talented thespians Joju George, Nassar, and Tanikella Bharani are allotted less than they deserve to do, and Ashok Selvan is forgettable. Aishwarya Lekshmi appears briefly but performs effectively; it’s a shame her character wasn’t utilized more.
The narrative of Thug Life adapts the well-known gangster movie format: a man grows up in humble surroundings, emerges as a strong man in the underworld, is betrayed, and then seeks vengeance. Although the cliché can still function when presented with innovative handling, filmmaker Mani Ratnam cannot provide anything new. The latter half, especially, is languid and predictably familiar, providing nothing innovative in emotional investment or character growth.
Following a series of disappointing movie Ponniyin Selvan, Mani Ratnam’s creative juices appear dampened in Thug Life. This movie comes across as his most uninspired work in years. The eagerly awaited reunion with Kamal Haasan held cinephiles hostage for cinematic fireworks but proves to be a damp squib, mostly because of a lackluster script and unimaginative handling.
The screenplay, once a hallmark of Ratnam’s brilliance, feels surprisingly bland here. Character arcs are easy to predict, and so-called “twists” fail to make an impact. Gone is the trademark unpredictability that usually defines his narratives. The dialogues too lack the subtlety and punch Ratnam is known for.
Kamal’s character is portrayed with a commercial hero’s invincibility—surviving stabbings, bullets, and cliff falls—only to return months later ready for more action. These sequences stretch believability and feel jarringly out of place in a Mani Ratnam film. In an era where audiences crave realism and emotional resonance, these over-the-top action set pieces do a disservice to the story.
The A.R. Rahman-Mani Ratnam combination has always been one to remember when it comes to soundtracks. Alas, Thug Life is not one of them. Apart from a decently good theme, the rest of the songs are contrived and failing the emotional depth that has become synonymous with Rahman’s scores. Even the background music fails to ratchet up the film in any way.
If there is one thing where Thug Life really delivers, it’s in the cinematography by Ravi K. Chandran. The imagery is sumptuous, detailed, and powerful—every frame looks carefully composed. The production values are high, and this is noticeable throughout. But even stunning visuals cannot compensate for poor storytelling.
Thug Life is ultimately a disappointment, especially considering the names associated with it. Mani Ratnam, once hailed for his innovation and storytelling depth, delivers a film that feels outdated and unimaginative. Despite the star power of Kamal Haasan and a technically polished presentation, the film struggles to engage or surprise.
