At a recent press meet in Delhi, legendary filmmaker Mani Ratnam spoke passionately about his upcoming film Thug Life, a gangster action drama that marks his reunion with Kamal Haasan after nearly four decades since their iconic collaboration in Nayakan (1987). “It’s been a great journey,” Ratnam shared. “When you have a team that’s willing to walk with you, run with you, and give everything they have for the film, it becomes a pleasure.”
Known for his versatility, Ratnam admitted that there are some genres he simply enjoys as a viewer. “The genre I like the most is the one I’m not good at — so I just watch those films. Comedy, for instance. Kamal Haasan does it brilliantly. It’s unbelievable. I just watch — I can’t make comedy films.”
Thug Life, a Tamil-language film, is co-written by Ratnam and Haasan, and produced by Raaj Kamal Films International, Madras Talkies, and Red Giant Movies. The film features an ensemble cast including Kamal Haasan, Silambarasan, Trisha Krishnan, Abhirami, Aishwarya Lekshmi, Ashok Selvan, Joju George, Nassar, Ali Fazal, Pankaj Tripathi, Rohit Saraf, and Baburaj. It is scheduled to release worldwide on June 5, 2025.
Reflecting on working with Haasan, Ratnam said, “Working with Kamal ji is a dream for any director. He takes charge of the scene and makes it incredibly believable. The dialogues don’t feel written — they become a part of the character. That makes my job easier.”
He continued, “Kamal sir doesn’t just perform; he collaborates. He ensures that the performances of those around him are elevated. For me, that makes the entire process a smooth walk.”
Ratnam also spoke about the creative synergy he shares with Haasan. “Telling any story is difficult. But with Kamal sir, it’s been easy and complementary. We share a similar goal — to strike a balance between something authentic and emotional, while still operating within the space of mainstream cinema. Thug Life is, at its core, a story about human beings and relationships. When that clarity is there, the process becomes easier.”
With Thug Life, Ratnam and Haasan promise a powerful blend of gritty action, emotional storytelling, and intense performances — a cinematic experience that’s both rooted in realism and elevated by the star power of its cast.