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India Today
4 hours ago
- Entertainment
- India Today
How Kamal Haasan's Thug Life failed its women: Trisha, Abhirami, Aishwarya Lekshmi
Mani Ratnam's 'Thug Life' excited fans for more than one reason. Perhaps the biggest was the reunion of Mani Ratnam and Kamal Haasan, 38 years after their iconic 'Nayakan'. The second biggest was the ensemble star cast, including Silambarasan, Trisha Krishnan, Abhirami, Aishwarya Lekshmi, Joju George and 'Thug Life' released in theatres on June 5, it opened to a lukewarm response. While the critics and audiences called the filmmaker and Haasan out for its haphazard story, the biggest injustice of all was meted out to the women in the film. The man who has crafted some powerful female characters over the years let his fans down big with 'Thug Life'.advertisementBefore delving deep into the women of 'Thug Life', let us have a look at how Mani Ratnam shaped his female characters over the years. While Divya from the 1986 film 'Mouna Ragam' was a young woman dealing with an arranged marriage and a traumatic past, Shaila Banu in the 1995 film 'Bombay' was a strong-willed mother of twin boys navigating their displacement during communal riots. In the 1987 film 'Nayakan', Meera was a woman rescued by Sakthivel from a brothel. Shakthi from 'Alaipayuthey', Roja from 'Roja', Moina from 'Dil Se', Sujata Desai from 'Guru', Tara Kalingarayar from 'Oh Kadhal Kanmani' and Leela Abraham from 'Kaatru Veliyidai' - all these are strong-willed, powerful representation of women who have an agency and is where 'Thug Life' felt like a major letdown, especially for Mani Ratnam's fans. There are three important women characters in the film, played by Abhirami, Trisha Krishnan and Aishwarya played the role of Jeeva, wife of Kamal Haasan's Rangaraya Sakthivel, a role that becomes the centre of the universe for the protagonist in the second half. Abhirami is shown as a strong-willed woman who stands by her gangster-husband through shoot-outs, police encounters and prison a scene, Sakthivel gets released from prison after two long years. But, he goes straight to Indrani's (Trisha Krishnan) house to spend a week with her, before getting back to Jeeva. When Jeeva questions him, Sakthivel justifies the act of infidelity by calling it a disorder. He also says that even though he seeks Indrani, his heart lies with her. Sadly enough, Jeeva forgives him. While there are women like Jeeva in this world, it is a gross injustice to reduce Abhirami's character just to this - a second fiddle in her own husband's life, and someone who is not protesting enough either - a weak, subdued role, quite anti-Ratnam. In the second half, her character is used as a pawn to evoke emotional attachment to the Sakthivel. Jeeva then loses her memory in an accident and forgets Sakthivel. But after Sakthivel's transformation, he suddenly turns faithful and takes care of her - a trope that simply shows how Jeeva is simply at the mercy of her husband. Abhirami's character needed a much more rounded arc to add more gravitas to the story. Trisha Krishnan's Indrani in 'Thug Life' Indrani, while a complex character, is much like 'Nayakan's' Meera. She is also rescued from a job that requires her to please men. While Indrani had a lot of scope, she is tossed between two men, Sakthivel and Silambarasan's Amar. She is rescued by Sakthivel, becomes his paramour and then Amar's - another woman at the mercy of a man who looks at her at best as a romantic relief. If you take away Indrani's character from 'Thug Life', there would be no change to the story. Indrani could have been much more. That's what was projected in the pre-release interviews and in the trailer too. None of it could come face-to-face in the film, only character that got a decent arc is Aishwarya Lekshmi's Chandra. She has an introduction, a twist and a proper closure as well. But enough for a Mani Ratnam film? Absolutely not. Her character, who has all the parameters to be the emotional anchor of 'Thug Life' gets re-introduced half-way, goes missing, only to have her closure in the climax. The film, which could have easily been about Sakthivel's promise to Amar involving Chandra, eventually making it an emotional gangster story that Mani Ratnam promised - ends up being a combination of too many wrongs. Aishwarya Lekshmi and Mani Ratnam on 'Thug Life' sets. (Photo credit: Instagram/aishu_) advertisementToo many subplots and more emphasis on men paved the way (or the lack of it) for these women to get buried in chaos. On and off the screen.'Thug Life' truly failed its women. Mani Ratnam built his reputation on crafting women who were complete individuals - complex, driven, and essential to their stories. 'Thug Life' represents a disappointing departure from this legacy, while we sincerely hope it will only be a wrong film reduces three talented women to tired tropes: the forgiving wife, the object of desire, and the underutilised emotional anchor. For a filmmaker who gifted fans memorable women characters, 'Thug Life' feels like a massive step backward - a betrayal of his legacy and his audience's Reel
The Hindu
4 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
Mango prices fall sharply, farmers demand compensation
As mango farmers in Madurai district face a roadblock in selling their produce to traders due to the abysmally low prices fixed by them, they are demanding compensation or a solution for procurement of fruits at a better price. Though the farmers witnessed lower yields in the last few years, this year farmers enjoyed a good harvest, but they could not reap the benefits, said Jeeva, a farmer from Kesampatti near Melur. He added that the good cultivation could have benefitted them if a fixed and regularised procurement system was in practice. 'I have about 100 trees in three acres of land, and the cultivation was about 25 tonne this year,' he stated. But, the traders, who went to procure the produce wanted them for just Rs.4 per kg, he added. When the procurement price was about Rs.25 per kg last year, this year, the drastic drop in the price has put the farmers in a tight spot, Mr. Jeeva said. 'We hear that as big corporate which procure the kizhimooku variety of mangoes for juices and other products does want to procure them this year, the traders refuse to procure them at good price,' he stated. Opposing the dependence on corporates, he said that when the entire market was dependent on corporate companies, they would be the one to fix prices and manipulate them based on their needs. The Tamil Nadu Farmers Association has urged the Tamil Nadu government to immediately fix a Minimum Support Price (MSP) for mangoes to ensure that growers were not exploited by market forces. Further, they have also demanded compensation for farmers who have suffered losses due to the price crash. Madurai district agricultural officials cited the over production of mangoes as reason for the price crash. As the climate for the growth of mangoes was conducive, the farmers witnessed a good yield, but that has in turn reduced the demand for the fruit, the official stated. However, their demands for compensation and fixation of MSP would all be discussed with the government for further action, the official added.
Time of India
22-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Vishnu Vishal and Jwala Gutta welcome baby girl on their wedding anniversary
Actor Vishnu Vishal and his wife, squash champion Jwala Gutta , are celebrating a double dose of joy as they welcomed a baby girl on their fourth wedding anniversary. Sharing the heartwarming news on social media, Vishnu Vishal expressed his happiness, stating, 'We are blessed with a BABY GIRL.. Aryan is an elder brother now... It's our 4th wedding anniversary today... On the same day we welcome this gift from the Almighty... Need all your love and blessings.... @Guttajwala .' The couple's announcement was met with an outpouring of love and wishes from fans and industry well-wishers alike. — TheVishnuVishal (@TheVishnuVishal) A new chapter in family life Vishnu Vishal was previously married to Rajini, with whom he has a son named Aryan. After parting ways due to personal reasons, Vishnu found love again with Jwala Gutta, and the couple tied the knot in a private ceremony. Since then, the duo has often shared glimpses of their close bond and family moments, with Aryan also being an active part of their blended family. With the arrival of their daughter, their family is now complete and entering a beautiful new phase. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Free P2,000 GCash eGift UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo From debut to versatility in cinema Vishnu Vishal made his film debut with 'Vennila Kabadi Kuzhu', which became a surprise hit and established him as a promising talent. He continued to carve a niche for himself with films like 'Mundasupatti', 'Indru Netru Naalai', 'Jeeva', and 'Neerparavai', known for his versatile choice of roles. His breakout thriller 'Ratsasan' gained massive acclaim and remains one of his most impactful performances. He is now set to reunite with director Ram Kumar for ' Ratsasan 2 ', which has already sparked excitement among fans. Looking ahead despite setbacks Despite recent setbacks like the commercial failure of 'Lal Salaam' directed by Aishwarya Rajinikanth and featuring a cameo by superstar Rajinikanth, Vishnu Vishal continues to push forward with strong project choices. He is currently part of upcoming films like 'Irandu Vaanam' and 'Aaryan', both expected to highlight different shades of his acting. As he balances a growing family and a dynamic film career, fans are eager to see both his personal and professional journeys unfold with success.
