No Creative Clashes With Kamal Haasan, But Mani Ratnam Warned Others: ‘I’ll Throw You Off the Fourth Floor’
Director Mani Ratnam reveals how even a legend like Kamal Haasan surrenders to his vision in Thug Life. The duo reunites after Nayakan for a film set to release on June 5.
The upcoming film Thug Life, starring Kamal Haasan and directed by the legendary Mani Ratnam, is one of the most eagerly awaited collaborations in Indian cinema. Their reunion after decades—since the iconic Nayakan—has stirred immense anticipation among fans.
In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter India, Mani Ratnam opened up about his creative process, working with Kamal Haasan, and why he refuses to mellow down even with age.
Mani Ratnam on Working with Actors: “Some People You Have to Threaten”
Speaking about whether he is calm on set, the veteran filmmaker quipped,“You can’t let everyone be. Some people you have to threaten. I’ve promised people that I’ll throw them off the fourth floor if they don’t do what I’m asking them to do.”
He emphasized that there's no one-size-fits-all method when it comes to directing actors:“Sometimes, you have to tell an actor that if a five-year-old child can work at odd hours, so can they. There’s no one solution. But if you have a good actor, and what they bring in adds value, then you work with that.”
Kamal Haasan: A Malleable Performer Who Trusts the Vision
Ratnam praised Kamal Haasan for his adaptability and trust, recalling their earlier work together on Nayakan:
“Even then, he always trusted me. If I say we go this way, he’ll go. He believes in you, and if he thinks you know what you’re doing, he comes with you.”
On whether he demonstrates scenes for actors, Ratnam was clear:“I don’t do it with anybody, not even Kamal. Not unless I have to. I don’t want them to do what I’m doing. A good actor could take offence if you show them how to act.”
Kamal Haasan: “Mani Ratnam Hasn’t Mellowed”
In a separate interview with THR India, Kamal Haasan echoed the sentiment that Ratnam’s passion remains undiluted.
“He shouldn’t mellow; that would dilute him. But he has slowed down for people around him to catch up.”
The actor also shared a fun anecdote about Mani’s punctuality:“In Tamil, the word for time is ‘mani’, and we have a running joke where we call him ‘5:30 Mani Ratnam’ because that’s the time he reaches the set. The poor cameraman will have to be there at least at 5, for which he will have to leave at 4:30.”
‘Thug Life’ Release Date and Expectations
Thug Life, which marks the return of one of Tamil cinema’s most iconic duos, is set to release on June 5. The film has already created buzz for its intriguing title, intense posters, and the powerhouse combination of Mani Ratnam and Kamal Haasan. Fans are eagerly waiting to see the magic they’ll create together on-screen once again.
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