Kamal Haasan reveals Mani Ratnam's 'Thug Life' is based on his original script
Thug Life, releasing June 5, 2025, is directed by Mani Ratnam and stars Kamal Haasan, based on his script Amar Hai. The film features a star-studded cast and music by A.R. Rahman. It tells a gripping story of a man presumed dead who reappears amid mafia conflicts.
Excitement is flying for the pan-India movie 'Thug Life' as its release draws near, just two weeks away. The team behind the film is busy with various promotional events to build anticipation.
In a recent interview,
Kamal Haasan
shared an interesting fact: the story of 'Thug Life' originates from a script he personally penned, adding a special touch to the film's creation.
The Origin of the Story: Amar Hai
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter India, Kamal revealed that 'Thug Life' is adapted from a script he had written earlier, titled 'Amar Hai'. He explained that the title is a pun, referring to a man named Amar who is believed to be dead but actually isn't.
This twist forms the core of the story, which begins with a mysterious dead body, only for Amar to later appear and peek in. The trailer highlights this by stating, 'The trouble with him is that he's dead.
'
Kamal Haasan on the Creative Process
The actor further said that he wrote this and that character, but
Mani Ratnam
took it like an idea. It's like telling a joke — you say you like it, but the final punch could be sharper.
A Star-Studded Production
'Thug Life' is a collaborative production involving Kamal Haasan's Raaj Kamal Films International, Mani Ratnam's Madras Talkies, along with producers R Mahendran and Siva Ananth. The film brings together a stellar cast from both South Indian cinema and Bollywood. Kamal Haasan stars as Rangaraaya Sakthivel Naicker, supported by prominent actors including Silambarasan TR,
Trisha Krishnan
, Ashok Selvan, Aishwarya Lekshmi, Joju George, Ali Fazal, Sanya Malhotra, and
Rohit Saraf
.
Direction and Music
Mani Ratnam directs the film, with music crafted by AR Rahman. 'Thug Life' is poised to hit theaters worldwide on June 5, 2025.
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