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The Hindu
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Kamal Haasan pens birthday note to Mani Ratnam ahead of ‘Thug Life': Your presence has been a source of strength
Veteran actor Kamal Haasan penned a birthday note to director Mani Ratnam, ahead of the release of their highly-anticipated movie Thug Life. The gangster drama, which reunites the two after the iconic Nayakan (1987), is set to hit the screens worldwide on June 05, 2025. 'From Nayakan to Thug Life, we have journeyed through time together, as colleagues, family, co-dreamers, and above all, as lifelong students of cinema,' the actor wrote on X (formerly Twitter). Mani Ratnam, known for cult-classics such as Roja (1992), Bombay (1995), Iruvar (1997), and Kannathil Muthamittal (2002), turned 69 on June 02, 2025 (Monday). Happy Birthday, Mani Ratnam. From Nayakan to Thug Life, we've journeyed through time together — as colleagues, family, co-dreamers, and above all, as lifelong students of cinema. Through every chapter, your presence has been a source of strength — a mind I turn to in moments of… — Kamal Haasan (@ikamalhaasan) June 2, 2025 Thug Life also stars Silambarasan TR, Trisha, Ashok Selvan, Nasser and Joju George. A R Rahman is the music composer of the movie while Ravi K Chandran is the cinematographer. Kamal Haasan further wrote, 'Through every chapter, your presence has been a source of strength — a mind I turn to in moments of doubt, and a soul deeply attuned to the language of film like few others. May your stories keep unfolding, for with every frame, your vision brings depth, beauty, and meaning to cinema.' Thug Life is produced by Kamal Haasan's Raaj Kamal Film International and Madras Talkies, helmed by Mani Ratnam. ALSO READ:Thug Life release in limbo in Karnataka, Kamal Haasan must apologise in two days, says film chamber Nayakan, the maiden collaboration between Mani Ratnam and Kamal Haasan, is included in the Time's list of the All-Time 100 Best Films. The film, apart from being India official entry to Oscars, won the National Film Awards for Best Cinematography (PC Sreeram), Best Actor in a Leading Role (Kamal Haasan) and Best Art Direction (Thota Tharani).
India.com
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- India.com
Meet actor who owns Rs 3,300 crore business empire, was left paralysed, lost his stardom, quit films, beats Vijay, Ajith, Dhanush, Suriya, he is…
Whenever it comes to South heroes, Rajinikanth, Chiranjeevi, Vijay Sethupathi and Allu Arjun are talked about. But today we will tell you about that South star who started working in films from a young age. But as soon as he became a top hero, he took a break from acting. After this, such an accident happened to him that he was bedridden for years. But then the luck of this star shone so much that he became the owner of a business worth crores. Mani Ratnam saw 21-year-old Arvind Swamy, who belonged to a business family, in an advertisement. After this, he was called for an audition. After which he appeared on screen for the first time in Rajinikanth and Mammootty's film Thalapathi. But the film Roja released in 1992 and Bombay released in 1995 gave such a boost to Arvind's career that he became a star overnight. Arvind's stardom increased further when he appeared with Kajol in the National Award winning film 'Minsara Kanavu'. Apart from this, he entered the Hindi stream with the film 'Saat Rang Ke Sapne'. Due to Arvind's increasing stardom, people started considering him as the successor of two great South actors Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan. But after giving many hit films, Arvind suddenly decided to distance himself from films. He was only 30 years old at that time. There are reports that Arvind is suffering from depression. This is also because the sudden downfall in his career in the 90s had broken Arvind from inside. Therefore, in 2000, he decided to distance himself from acting which shocked everyone. This year he had such a dangerous accident. Due to this accident, Arvind's leg became partially paralysed. He even became dependent on others to get up and sit. But he did not give up. Before the accident, Arvind had founded Talent Maximus India. According to many portals, the revenue of Talent Maximus in 2022 was 3300 crores. The special thing is that even after being paralyzed, Arvind remained active in all these companies. After this, after recovering, he again turned to films in the year 2013. After Mani Ratnam's 'Kadal', he played the role of MG Ramachandran in the Bollywood film 'Thalaivi' released in the year 2021. He was recently seen in the movie Meiyazhagan. This film was highly praised.
News18
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- News18
Madhoo's Youthful Glow Stuns Onlookers; Fans Say 'Ye Shilpa Ko Compete Karti Hai'
Fans took to the comment box and compared her to Shilpa Shetty, who is also known for defying time when it comes to ageing. 'Ye shilpa ko compete krti hai", wrote a user. 'How she is still so young?" questioned another. 'Mujhe maa uski beti lag rhi hai or beti maa," quipped a third user. In February, Akshay Kumar met his Elaan co-star Madhoo after 20 years at the teaser launch of Kannappa. Recalling working with Madhoo, he complimented her fitness, adding that she hasn't changed at all in all these years and and still looks the same. 'Mujhe aaj itti khushi hain ki main aaj Madhoo ji se mila hoon. Maine ek film kari thi inke saath, she played the lead role opposite me in Elaan (I am so happy to meet Madhoo). I am very happy today. I am meeting her after 20 years," said Akshay. Further adding, 'But you haven't changed at all. You look the same. I told her bilkul aisa lagta hain jaise raat ko fridge mein jaake so jaati hain (It seems like she sleeps inside the fridge at night)," Akshay playfully told the media, with a shy Madhoo beside him. In a 2017 interview with The Times of India, Madhoo spoke about ageing and working actively in films. She said, 'I don't believe in age affecting your persona. I hate it when people say indha vayasula ippadithan. It's not written anywhere that you should look a certain way in a certain age. In my mind, I'm always an actor. I might not be doing any films for five years, but if I get an offer, I should be able to start shooting immediately. I believe in being holistically healthy." When asked about how she manages to keep up with fashion and life trends, the Roja star said, 'I don't browse through style magazines to find out what's happening in the fashion world. But if you are around people who turn out well to all the haute parties, you automatically imbibe it. I attend parties, and red carpet and film events and I can't look out of place there. I believe that looking good will make you feel good and lift your mood." A very popular actress of the 90s, Madhoo married industrialist Anand Shah on February 19, 1999. They are parents to two daughters, Keia and Ameya. For the unversed, Shah is Juhi Chawla's husband, Jay Mehta's cousin.
Hindustan Times
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Ahead of Thug Life, AR Rahman reflects on his decades-long collaboration with Mani Ratnam: ‘He has seen my growth'
The collaboration of director Mani Ratnam and music composer AR Rahman is one of those gifts that continues to deliver. The two have worked on many films, starting from Roja, and then to Kadal and OK Kanmani. The two of them are collaborating once again for Thug Life. In an interview with India Today, Rahman opened up about their creative process and shared how they share the common purpose to 'serve the audience and the cinema'. (Also read: Kamal Haasan stuns with knowledge; Mani Ratnam doesn't waste time on set like other directors: Thug Life's Ashok Selvan) During the interaction, Rahman talked about working with the director over the course of two decades and said, "We feel the same even today! I discovered myself in the jingle industry. He has seen my growth. When I was based in Chennai, he was there. When I was doing 'Bombay Dreams', he used to come to London for music. He didn't come to Bollywood though. When I'm doing my virtual reality stuff, he's seen it and commented on it." He went on to add, 'Our relationship is to serve the audience and the cinema. That is our common purpose. That common purpose drives us to excel. In fact, the final mixing of Thug Life was happening day before yesterday. And he asked me if we could make the music a little aggressive in a particular scene. I went to the studio, and we changed it one hour before the engineer left the studio. That's the freedom we have.' The audio launch of Thug Life took place in Chennai a few days ago. Some of the songs featured in the album are Jinguchaa, Sugar Baby, Muththa Mazhai, and Vinveli Nayaga. The gangster drama stars Kamal Haasan, Simbu and Trisha in pivotal roles. It is set to release in theatres on June 5.
News18
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- News18
Mani Ratnam Thanks AR Rahman Ahead Of Thug Life, Says 'You Make My Film Alive'
'Thank you, Rahman. You make my film alive. Thank you very much," Mani Ratnam said emotionally. Addressing a packed auditorium of fans, media, and industry figures, the esteemed director shared an anecdote highlighting Rahman's sensitivity and creative generosity. 'I was telling him how nowadays it's difficult to keep full songs in cinema due to short attention spans and changing narratives," Ratnam revealed, referring to the evolving dynamics of storytelling and audience engagement in contemporary cinema. But Rahman, ever the artist attuned to deeper meanings, responded characteristically. 'After listening, he changed the number of songs from originally five to nine," Ratnam disclosed, drawing applause from the crowd. 'Thank you, Rahman. Thank you very much. You make my film come alive," he reiterated with immense pride. Mani Ratnam and AR Rahman's collaboration, which began with Roja in 1992, has spanned over three decades, producing some of Indian cinema's most iconic soundtracks – from Bombay and Dil Se to Guru and Ponniyin Selvan. This moment on stage was more than a tribute; it was a reflection of a creative synergy nurtured over time, rooted in mutual respect and trust. At a time when many filmmakers are shortening musical sequences for tighter runtimes, Mani Ratnam and AR Rahman's decision to expand the musical scope of Thug Life is both audacious and beautiful. It serves as a reminder that music, when composed with passion and thoughtfully integrated into the narrative, doesn't merely accompany a film – it elevates it. Produced by Kamal Haasan's Raaj Kamal Films International, Mani Ratnam's Madras Talkies, R Mahendran, and Siva Ananth, Thug Life features a stellar cast. Kamal Haasan stars as Rangaraaya Sakthivel Naicker, alongside Silambarasan TR, Trisha Krishnan, Ashok Selvan, Aishwarya Lekshmi, Joju George, Ali Fazal, Sanya Malhotra, and Rohit Saraf, among others. With Mani Ratnam directing and AR Rahman's music, Thug Life will be released in cinemas on June 2025.
