Mani Ratnam's 'Thug Life' Opens to Mixed Initial Reactions, Trails in Advance Bookings
The much-anticipated action drama "Thug Life," marking the reunion of acclaimed director Mani Ratnam and veteran actor Kamal Haasan 37 years after their iconic film "Nayakan," commenced its theatrical run today, June 5th. Despite significant pre-release hype and extensive promotional activities, early audience and critic responses appear mixed, with some viewers expressing disappointment, while advance booking figures have not matched those of Haasan's recent major releases.
Advance Booking and Box Office Context
The film's first-day-first-show began at 9 AM across India, following Tamil Nadu government approval for special early screenings. However, as of Wednesday evening, "Thug Life" had reportedly grossed approximately ₹4.93 crore in advance bookings (₹12.32 crore including block seats), according to industry tracker Sacnilk. This figure is notably lower than Haasan’s previous films "Indian 2" (2024), which garnered ₹10.98 crore (₹17.9 crore with block seats), and "Vikram" (2022), which registered ₹15.30 crore in advance sales. Industry experts suggest that a ban on the film's release in Karnataka, stemming from a controversy over a statement made by Haasan, has likely impacted its overall box office prospects, potentially leading to a loss of around ₹12 crore from that market.
Critical Reception: A Mixed Bag
Initial reactions emerging from early screenings and social media indicate a divided opinion on "Thug Life." Several viewers have drawn comparisons to the director-actor duo's previous classic, "Nayakan," with some opining that the new film "isn’t 10% of Nayakan." Criticisms point towards an "outdated story," a "predictable gangster saga," and a "slow, boring" narrative that is "hard to sit through." Some have described it as an "ordinary betrayal and revenge drama" and a "big letdown" from the legendary combination of Haasan, Mani Ratnam, and composer AR Rahman. The film's screenplay has been called "flat" with "zero engaging moments" by some, and certain monologues delivered by Kamal Haasan were perceived as "never-ending."
Conversely, other initial responses have been more positive. Producer G. Dhananjeyan termed it a "mass & class combined commercial entertainer with powerful performances." Technical aspects such as Ravi K. Chandran's cinematography and AR Rahman's background score have received praise. Performances from Kamal Haasan and co-star Silambarasan TR have been highlighted by some as "amazingly mass" and "classic." Some viewers specifically appreciated the "vintage portion" of the film and it’s aesthetic. However, Trisha Krishnan's role has been described by some as underwhelming. The portrayal of significant age-gap relationships between Kamal Haasan and his leading ladies has also sparked considerable discussion and criticism being termed a "glorified midlife fantasy".
"Thug Life," a high-profile collaboration, has entered the theatrical arena facing a challenging initial reception. While the film boasts a stellar cast and crew, including Trisha Krishnan, Silambarasan TR, and AR Rahman, early reviews suggest it may struggle to meet the monumental expectations set by the previous Haasan-Ratnam venture.
