Thug Life, directed by Mani Ratnam and starring Kamal Haasan, is a film that had all the ingredients to be a classic. But despite the star power and stylish visuals, it ends up being more of a letdown than a masterpiece.
A Reunion That Raised Expectations
When people heard that Mani Ratnam and Kamal Haasan were coming together after their 1987 hit Nayakan, excitement was natural. Add to that the success of Ratnam’s recent Ponniyin Selvan films, and expectations were sky-high. Sadly, Thug Life doesn’t live up to the legacy of either film.
The film starts off with promise. Kamal Haasan’s character, Rangaraya Sakthivel, is introduced in a bold and stylized manner. He even dubs his own Hindi lines in a gritty voice, declaring that his life is a fight against death itself. It feels grand—but only for a while.
Good First Half, But That’s About It
The first half of the movie is engaging. The visuals are impressive, thanks to cinematographer Ravi K. Chandran, and the editing by A. Sreekar Prasad keeps the pace tight. A flashback scene, shot in black and white, grabs attention with its intensity and emotion.
Kamal Haasan is, as always, powerful on screen. He switches between calm and fury with ease. Silambarasan TR also shines with great energy and screen presence. But beyond these two, most characters feel underdeveloped or forgettable.
Actors like Trisha Krishnan, Joju George, Abhirami, and Nasser do their best, but the script doesn’t give them enough room to truly stand out.
Loses Steam in the Second Half
Things take a turn for the worse after the interval. The story becomes confusing, with strained family drama, awkward romantic angles, and too many betrayals. Relationships between the characters—especially between Sakthivel, his wife, and his mistress—start to feel forced and unconvincing.
What started as a gripping gangster saga becomes a soap-opera-style drama. As tensions rise between adopted and biological brothers, and rival gangs plot revenge, the film gets lost in its own mess.
Over-the-Top Heroism, But No Real Impact
Sakthivel, the main character, survives nearly everything—from avalanches to explosions—always returning to the fight. While this might sound exciting, it feels unrealistic. The film seems to forget that it’s not a superhero story.
Despite Ratnam’s direction and Kamal Haasan’s strong performance, the movie’s central idea wears thin. The more it tries to push Sakthivel as an unstoppable gangster, the more it loses its emotional core.
Final Verdict: All Style, Not Enough Substance
Thug Life has the look and feel of a great movie, but it lacks the emotional depth and tight storytelling needed to make it truly memorable. It’s not without its moments—but they’re too few and far between.
In the end, what this film needed most was exactly what its title promised: more life.
