Thug Life Movie Review: A Missed Opportunity for a Legendary Reunion
Thug Life (2025), directed by Mani Ratnam and starring Kamal Haasan, promised to be a cinematic event of epic proportions. The reunion of two titans of Tamil cinema, who last collaborated on the iconic Nayakan (1987), generated immense anticipation among fans and critics alike. With a stellar ensemble cast, including Silambarasan TR, Trisha Krishnan, Joju George, Nassar, and others, and A.R. Rahman’s musical score, the film was poised to deliver a gripping gangster drama. However, despite its grand ambitions and moments of brilliance, Thug Life falters due to a predictable storyline, uneven pacing, and a lack of emotional depth, ultimately failing to recreate the magic of its predecessor.
The film opens in 1994 with a visually striking black-and-white sequence set in Old Delhi, introducing Rangaraya Sakthivel Naicker (Kamal Haasan), a formidable gangster who describes himself as a “don, thug, or Yakuza.” The scene, a chaotic shootout orchestrated by rival gang leader Sadanand (Mahesh Manjrekar), results in the death of a newspaper vendor, leaving his children, Amaran and Chandra, orphaned. Moved by guilt, Sakthivel rescues young Amaran (later played by Silambarasan TR) and raises him as his own, setting the stage for a complex father-son dynamic. Fast-forward to 2016, Sakthivel faces internal betrayals from his brother Manickam (Nassar) and Amaran, who allies with rivals to challenge his mentor’s empire. The narrative weaves themes of loyalty, betrayal, and redemption against a backdrop of mafia conflicts, but struggles to maintain coherence and emotional resonance.
Kamal Haasan delivers a commendable performance as Sakthivel, embodying a blend of fire and vulnerability. His expressive eyes convey tenderness in romantic moments and anguish during betrayal, reaffirming his acting prowess at 70. Silambarasan TR, as Amaran, brings intensity and swag, particularly in the first half, where his character’s arc is established with nuance. The supporting cast, including Joju George as the surly gangster Pathrose and Nassar as Manickam, delivers solid performances, though their roles feel underwritten. Trisha Krishnan’s character, Indrani, a bar singer turned concubine, is a puzzling addition, lacking depth or narrative purpose, while actors like Ashok Selvan and Ali Fazal are underutilized, their subplots fading into irrelevance.
Mani Ratnam’s direction shines in the film’s technical aspects. Ravi K. Chandran’s cinematography is a standout, with glossy visuals and stunning locations that lend a grand, almost operatic quality to the gangster world. The black-and-white flashback sequence is particularly evocative, blending action and drama to set a promising tone. A.R. Rahman’s score, while not his finest, has moments of brilliance, with the song “Achcha Vanne Poovvaa” adding emotional weight to key scenes. However, the background score often feels muted, failing to elevate the action or emotional highs, a surprising misstep for a Ratnam-Rahman collaboration. The action sequences, choreographed by Anbariv, are well-executed, with a standout fight scene showcasing Sakthivel’s resilience, though some moments border on preposterous, like his survival after multiple stabbings.
Despite these strengths, Thug Life stumbles in its storytelling. The screenplay, co-written by Ratnam and Haasan, leans heavily on gangster movie clichés—rivalries, betrayals, and vengeance—without offering fresh perspectives. The first half builds intrigue with its character introductions and stylish execution, but the second half unravels into a meandering, incoherent spectacle. Subplots involving characters like Indrani, a cop (Ashok Selvan), and Sadanand’s nephew Deepak (Ali Fazal) are introduced with promise but are either diluted or abandoned, leaving the narrative fragmented. The central conflict between Sakthivel and Amaran, meant to be the emotional core, lacks the depth needed to make their fallout compelling. Emotional beats, a hallmark of Ratnam’s films, feel rushed or absent, and the romantic subplots, particularly those involving Trisha and Abhirami, fail to evoke the fairytale romance expected from the director.
The film’s pacing is another Achilles’ heel. At 163 minutes, Thug Life feels like an endurance test, especially in the second half, where the story drags with unnecessary scenes and predictable twists. The climax, while visually striking, lacks the emotional payoff to justify the buildup, leaving audiences disconnected. Comparisons to Nayakan are inevitable, and Thug Life pales in contrast. Where Nayakan crafted a morally complex protagonist and a richly layered world, Thug Life feels like a generic potboiler, trading emotional depth for action-heavy set pieces. The film’s attempt to explore themes of guilt, morality, and destiny is undermined by shallow writing and a lack of world-building, leaving questions about Sakthivel’s empire and its broader impact unanswered.
Social media reactions on a divided audience. Some praise the film’s visuals, action sequences, and performances, with the Telugu-speaking audience calling it a “blockbuster” for its technical brilliance. Others, however—A significant portion—lament the weak script and lack of emotional connect, with one user describing it as “a slow, predictable gangster drama that starts with promise but quickly loses steam”. The controversy surrounding Haasan’s remarks about the Kannada language, which led to a ban in Karnataka, may have impacted its box office prospects, though the film still grossed Rs 5.2 crore in Tamil Nadu on its opening day.
Thug Life is a classic case of great potential squandered. The reunion of Mani Ratnam and Kamal Haasan, bolstered by a talented cast and top-tier technical crew, should have been a landmark in Tamil cinema. Instead, it delivers a visually impressive but narratively hollow experience that fails to capture the heart or redefine the gangster genre. For fans of Haasan and Ratnam, it’s a one-time watch for its moments of brilliance and nostalgic nods to Nayakan. However, those seeking a gripping crime saga or the emotional depth of Ratnam’s classics will find Thug Life a disappointing outing26, 2025, it’s a reminder that even legends can falter, leaving audiences yearning for the masterpiece that could have been.
Rating: 2.5/5