Kamal Haasan’s Thug Life Opens At Rs 14 Cr, Could Have Made Rs 40 Cr With Karnataka
Thug Life—marking the grand reunion of legendary filmmaker Mani Ratnam and superstar Kamal Haasan after the iconic Nayakan—opened to an impressive ₹14.94 crore on its first day.
One of the most highly anticipated Tamil films of the year, Thug Life—marking the grand reunion of legendary filmmaker Mani Ratnam and superstar Kamal Haasan after the iconic Nayakan—opened to an impressive ₹14.94 crore on its first day, as per early estimates by Sacnilk.com.
Despite high expectations and fan frenzy, the film’s release was clouded by controversy, especially in Karnataka, where it was not screened following backlash over Haasan’s remarks about the Kannada language.
Thug Life Day 1 Collection
According to reports, Thug Life recorded a 48.72% occupancy rate in Tamil Nadu on Thursday. Morning shows saw a healthy 50.66% turnout, with afternoon shows closely trailing at 50.35%. However, there was a slight dip during the evening slot, which recorded 45.15% occupancy. The film is expected to maintain its momentum through the extended weekend, capitalising on the buzz and holiday crowds.
The film’s absence in Karnataka has reportedly cost it an estimated ₹35–40 crore in potential box office revenue. The controversy stems from Kamal Haasan’s statement at a promotional event where he said, “Kannada was born out of Tamil,” sparking public outrage and leading the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce to withhold the film's release. Haasan stood by his comment, insisting his words were taken out of context and refusing to issue an apology.
About Thug Life
Thug Life boasts a star-studded cast including Trisha, Silambarasan, Joju George, Ashok Selvan, Nasser, and Abhirami. The film’s music has been composed by the legendary AR Rahman, with visuals captured by cinematographer Ravi K Chandran and editing by A. Sreekar Prasad.
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Thug Life review
An excerpt from the ABP Live Entertainment review of the film reads as, "When cinematic legends like Kamal Haasan, Mani Ratnam, and A.R. Rahman come together, expectations naturally soar. 'Thug Life', touted as a gangster drama, had already set the tone with its high-octane trailer—and to a large extent, it delivers on that promise. Packed with style, swagger, a strong ensemble cast, and visually rich cinematography, the film impresses in many departments. However, it's the story that ultimately lets it down."
ALSO READ: Thug Life Review: Kamal Haasan Shines In A Stylish Yet Predictable Gangster Drama
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