Latest news with #Nayagan
New Straits Times
9 hours ago
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ: 'Thug Life' poised to steal the show
AFTER almost four decades, Tamil cinema giants Kamal Haasan and Mani Ratnam have reunited for 'Thug Life', a gangster epic that opened in cinemas nationwide yesterday. (June 5). Renowned for their 1987 classic 'Nayagan', the two return with a film that blends stylised action with deep emotional stakes, aiming to resonate with both long-time fans and a new generation of moviegoers. BROTHERHOOD AND BETRAYAL 'Thug Life' tells the story of brothers Sakthivel (played by Kamal) and Manickam (Joju George), who rise from poverty to rule the criminal underworld. Their bond is tested when Sakthivel rescues a mysterious boy. The empire begins to fracture as this act of compassion triggers deep insecurities in Manickam, leading to an assassination attempt on Sakthivel. In retaliation, Sakthivel returns with a mission to dismantle the very world he helped build. STAR POWER The film also stars Silambarasan TR, who shares screen space with Kamal Haasan for the first time, lending fire and flair to a pivotal role in the power struggle that unfolds between rival gangs. Meanwhile, Trisha Krishnan plays a woman caught between family loyalty and survival, emotionally anchoring the film. Joju, fresh from a lauded performance in Karthik Subburaj's neo-noir 'Retro', portrays Manickam with layered menace and moral erosion. With Mani at the helm, the film is co-written by him and Kamal, and produced by Red Giant Movies and Raaj Kamal Films International. For Malaysian audiences, DMY Creation — founded by Datuk Mohamed Yusoff — is the film's distributor bringing it to the big screen. CONTEMPORARY APPEAL Speaking at a recent fan meet-and-greet at Shangri-La Hotel Kuala Lumpur, Kamal said the title 'Thug Life', popularised by the late American rapper Tupac Shakur, was chosen to reflect both the film's theme and its contemporary appeal to the Gen Z audience. "The title speaks to the younger generation. But at its heart, this is still a story of ideology, loyalty and consequence," he said. He also praised the contributions of his Malaysian fanbase, calling them an extension of his family. "My love and respect for my Malaysian fans has never diminished. "In my 44-year career, their support has always been close to my heart. You all are just like my extended family who live here, as compared to those in India." He said 'Thug Life' was built with cutting-edge tools, including AI-assisted script development, de-ageing effects and advanced VFX. While the AI-enhanced writing tools helped polish character arcs and complex moral dilemmas, the de-ageing technology seamlessly renders Kamal into past timelines, offering a spectral reminder of Velu Naicker from 'Nayagan'. Visual effects, crowd simulation and real-time lighting engines are set to make 'Thug Life' a spectacle of cinematic realism meets stylised grandeur. "As technicians, we've evolved. We wanted to go beyond 'Nayagan' and embrace new technologies to meet today's audience expectations," he said. A.R. Rahman's score for the film has been described as emotionally rich, sonically unforgettable and musically bold, uniquely blending nostalgia with a fresh, new sound. PUSHING BOUNDARIES Kamal acknowledged that comparisons to 'Nayagan' were inevitable, but expressed confidence in the film's merit. "It is always a challenge to live up to the success of 'Nayagan'. But with 'Thug Life', Mani and I believe we have pushed our boundaries further. We expect it to surpass the 'Nayagan' we worked on four decades ago," he assured fans. "The demography has expanded, and we, as technicians, I as an actor, and he (Mani) as a director, have evolved over time. "Our first challenge was always to surpass the stupendous success of 'Nayagan'." Reaffirming his commitment to loyal fans, he said: "Ultimately, it comes down to the fans. Their love made us who we are, and we hope they'll embrace this film the same way. "We believe we have upped the game with 'Thug Life'. It is our work, love and respect for our work, our industry and the fans. "We hope fans will like it as much for the effort we have put in. It is now in their hands to judge our work." With its ambitious blend of action, emotion, and technical innovation, 'Thug Life' is poised to be a significant film, potentially marking a new milestone for its creators and the Tamil film industry.
Time of India
a day ago
- Business
- Time of India
Thug Life on OTT: Kamal Haasan's Tamil gangster drama may premiere on Netflix in early August
Thug Life on OTT: Thug Life, starring Kamal Haasan, hit the screens on June 5 much to the delight of fans. It has created a great deal of buzz in the industry as it reunites the actor with Mani Ratnam. The two legends had previously collaborated for Nayagan (1987), which is regarded as one of the classics of Indian cinema. The film will premiere on Netflix, which acquired its streaming rights for nearly Rs 150 crore. Here's when you can expect it on OTT. When will Thug Life premiere on Netflix? All we know Kamal Haasan is in the limelight because of Thug Life, his first release after Indian 2. The film is out in theatres and will be available on OTT after its theatrical run. Tamil films usually debut on OTT four weeks after hitting the screens. Santhanam's DD Next Level, which was released last month, is a case in point. However, Thug Life– being a pan-India flick– is an exception to this. It will be available on streaming platforms eight weeks after its release. This essentially means that it will debut on OTT around August 5. Why has Thug Life not been released in Karnataka? Thug Life has not been released in Karnataka, a significant market for Tamil films, due to the controversy surrounding Kamal Haasan's 'Kannada was born from Tamil' comment. On May 27, Kamal reflected on his bond with Sandalwood star Shivarajkumar and his family. During the speech, he said that 'Kannada was born from Tamil'. This upset pro-Kannada activists, leading to a ban on the title in the state About Thug Life Thug Life is a gangster drama produced by Kamal Haasan. The film features Kamal Haasan as a powerful and fearless man who locks horns with his own family. The cast includes Simbu, Trisha, Ashok Selvan. Ali Fazal, and Joju George. AR Rahman is the music director. For all the latest coverage on Southern cinema & OTT shows, click here
Time of India
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Thug Life X review: 5 tweets to read before watching Kamal Haasan's Tamil gangster drama
Thug Life X review: Kamal Haasan is in the limelight because of his latest release Thug Life, which hit the screens on June 5. The biggie created a fair deal of buzz ahead of its release as it marks the seasoned actor's first collaboration with Mani Ratnam after Nayagan (1987). The powerful trailer too worked in its favour. So did Thug Life live up to expectations? Here's what netizens feel about the gangster drama. Thug Life Twitter review Thug Life, Kamal Haasan's first film after Indian 2, is out in theatres. The gangster drama has become the talk of the town because of its stellar cast and catchy songs. Not surprisingly, several netizens took to X (formerly known as Twitter) to share their views about the big-ticket film. A netizen said that Kamal Haasan and Simbu's scenes are a highlight of Thug Life. They also praised Trisha's performance in the film. #ThugLife first ever review Blockbuster 👌👌. As usual maniratnam narration like CCV. Conversation between sim u and kamal in pre climax was nice. Trisha character is different and bold attempt.. finally thalaivan ARR bgm 🔥🔥Kollywood tweet rating- 7.5/10 However, not everyone was impressed by the film. A user said that he got a 'headache' while watching the biggie Sorry bro. I'm also a huge fan of Maniratnam sir. I travelled 40km to watch Thug Life and I got a headache while watching the movie. This is not hatred it's a pain. Another one said that the film 'loses momentum' after a promising start. You walk into #ThugLife hoping for a gritty gangster drama, but leave disappointed by its slow, predictable story. Despite a promising start with Kamal Haasan and STR's solid presence, the film quickly loses momentum, ending up strictly average. Another user criticised the film's romantic portions and added that Thug Life fails to evoke any emotions. #ThugLifeReview (2025) : KH-Trisha love portions r Dull. STR, Abirami Neat. Songs gud. Delhi landscape visuals super. Weak Story, No emotions, No twists; Unexciting & Draggy Narratin. DISAPPOINTMENT!Cinema,Politics& Family ~ FAILED!⭐️⭐️/10 #ThugLife #ThugLifeDisaster A netizen, however, disagreed with the negativity surrounding the film and praised its 'stunning visuals'. #Thuglife :- Inside Report 🔥 🔥 First Half: PURE ADRENALINE! Mani Ratnam's genius kicks off with a BANG—stunning visuals, raw energy, and Kamal Haasan owning every frame like a BOSS. 🔥 The plot grips you tight, with slick action and dialogues that hit like bullets. Music?… Thug Life, meanwhile, has taken a strong start at the box office and is likely to collect around Rs 45 crore in India on the first day. About Thug Life Thug Life is a gangster drama directed by Mani Ratnam and produced by Kamal Haasan. It revolves around an influential fan who is forced to take on the family he nurtured. The cast is headlined by Kamal Haasan, Simbu, and Trisha. Thug Life hit the screens on June 5 and is playing in theatres.
Time of India
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Thug Life box office prediction day 1: Kamal Haasan's Tamil gangster drama may earn Rs 45 crore in India
Thug Life box office prediction day 1: Thug Life, starring Kamal Haasan, hit the screens on June 5 much to the delight of fans. The gangster drama has created a buzz in the industry as it marks the veteran actor's first collaboration with Mani Ratnam after Nayagan (1987). This is set to help it open to a strong response at the domestic box office. Thug Life set to open well in India Kamal Haasan, who suffered a setback when Indian 2 bombed at the box office, is back in the limelight because of his latest release Thug Life. According to Ramesh Bala, a trade analyst, the film is expected to open well at the box office. He feels that the day 1 figure will be around Rs 45 crore. 'Thug Life has created a good buzz. It features a successful combination. Moreover, AR Rahman is the music composer. The day 1 gross in India should be around Rs 45 crore,' he told Indiatimes. If this happens, Thug Life will outperform Indian 2. The Shankar-directed vigilante thriller had earned nearly Rs 26 crore in the country on its first day. The film went on to make Rs 100 crore in its full run and ended up being a massive flop. About Thug Life Thug Life is a gangster drama produced by Kamal Haasan. It features the seasoned actor as a powerful man who is forced to lock horns with the very family he once nurtured. The cast includes Trisha, Simbu, Joju George and Ali Fazal. AR Rahman is the music director.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Thug Life: Kamal Haasan's Tamil gangster drama needs to earn nearly 3 times what Indian 2 made to be a success in India
Thug Life, one of the biggest films of the year, is almost upon us. The Tamil gangster drama has created a great deal of buzz among fans as it marks Kamal Haasan's first collaboration with Mani Ratnam after Nayagan (1987). Its intense trailer too has worked in its favour. Thug Life has been shot on a budget of Rs 200 crore, which means it needs to pack a punch at the box office in order to emerge as a success. How much does Thug Life need to collect to be a hit? Kamal Haasan is back in the limelight because of his latest release Thug Life, which will see him share screen space with actor Simbu. Ramesh Bala, a trade analyst, told Indiatimes the film needs to gross Rs 300 crore at least at the Indian box office in its lifetime to emerge as a success. Kamal Haasan's popularity and Mani Ratnam's fan following are likely to help the film open to a strong response at the box office. However, a lot will depend on the word of mouth. The content needs to click with the audience for the gangster drama to emerge as a success. Interestingly, Indian 2–Kamal's last release– too had taken a good start at the box office and grossed Rs 26 crore on the first day. It, however, received negative reviews with critics panning the screenplay. This affected the vigilante thriller once the buzz faded and led to its downfall. Indian 2 grossed nearly Rs 100 crore in India in its full run and ended up being a flop. It was filmed on a budget of Rs 150 crore. About Thug Life Thug Life is a gangster drama that features Kamal Haasan in the role of an influential man who is forced to lock horns with the family he once nurtured. The film also features Simbu, Ali Fazal, Johu George and Trisha in key roles. Sanya Malhotra has a 'friendly' appearance in the biggie and will be seen alongside STR. Thug Life is set to hit the screens on June 5 For all the latest coverage on Southern cinema & OTT shows, click here
