With just days to go before the global release of Thug Life, iconic actor Kamal Haasan has officially launched promotions by appearing on the cover of The Hollywood Reporter — marking a major moment not just for the star, but for Indian cinema on the global stage. In this THR India exclusive, Haasan opens up about his storied journey in film, the timeless advice that set him on the path to stardom, and his deeply intuitive collaboration with legendary filmmaker Mani Ratnam.
Thug Life, an action-packed Tamil-language drama, is one of 2025’s most awaited Indian films. Helmed by Mani Ratnam, who co-wrote the screenplay with Haasan himself, the film brings together some of the most celebrated talents in the industry. The ensemble cast includes Silambarasan, Trisha Krishnan, Ali Fazal, Pankaj Tripathi, Aishwarya Lekshmi, and Rohit Saraf, among others. The film also marks a long-awaited reunion between Haasan and Ratnam, whose last collaboration, Nayakan (1987), is still regarded as one of Indian cinema’s finest masterpieces.
Produced by Raaj Kamal Films International, Madras Talkies, and Red Giant Movies, Thug Life boasts a stellar technical crew as well. With music by A. R. Rahman, cinematography by Ravi K. Chandran, and editing by A. Sreekar Prasad, the film promises both visual scale and emotional depth — further amplified by its IMAX release format.
As Kamal Haasan reflects on the profound impact of storytelling and the artistic symbiosis he shares with Mani Ratnam, Thug Life emerges not just as a film, but as a cinematic event — one that bridges generations, genres, and global audiences. Releasing June 5, 2025, this is a date fans won’t want to miss.