Thug Life review: 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.
Thug Life plot
Kamal Haasan plays Shaktivel, a dreaded gangster. The film opens with a tragedy—an innocent journalist is killed by his gang. Wracked with guilt, Shaktivel adopts the journalist's orphaned son, while the man's daughter goes missing. As time passes, the adopted son grows up to become a loyal part of Shaktivel's gang. But enemies lurk not just in rival factions—some emerge from unexpected corners. Who they are and what they want forms the crux of the film.
How is Thug Life?
'Thug Life' is, at best, a decent one-time watch. Kamal Haasan dominates nearly every frame and is simply magnetic on screen. He appears youthful in the early portions, a transformation that's presumably thanks to digital effects and makeup, yet feels seamless and impressive. The action is slick, the character introductions are stylish, and the first half moves at a brisk pace. The second half, however, slows down considerably. Conversations take center stage, and the emotional pull doesn't quite land the way it should. Fortunately, the climax brings back the adrenaline with a solid dose of action.
The film falters in the writing department. The story is predictable and lacks depth, which is surprising considering it was co-written by Kamal Haasan and Mani Ratnam. Despite that, the film is elevated by its treatment—right from the production design to the casting, everything looks and feels polished. Even the smallest roles are performed by highly capable actors, each delivering convincingly. That said, 'Thug Life' feels more like a visual and performative experience than a storytelling triumph. It’s also one of Mani Ratnam’s weaker films, with little of his signature storytelling finesse on display. What saves the film is Kamal Haasan’s powerful screen presence and compelling performance.
Performances
Kamal Haasan is undoubtedly the heart of 'Thug Life'. From intense action scenes to surprisingly charming romantic moments—despite receiving some online trolling for the latter—he proves he’s still unmatched. His delivery of the line “Main Yamraj ko hara ke aaya hoon” (I’ve defeated the god of death) lands with flair, and he convincingly plays a gangster who’s lived through fire.
STR (Silambarasan) holds his own in scenes with Haasan and delivers a strong performance. Trisha does well in her limited screen time, while Abhirami leaves a lasting impact—particularly in a post-accident emotional scene. Joju George is another standout. Ali Fazal and Rohit Saraf have minor parts, but they play them adequately.
Direction & writing
While the visual and stylistic direction works in the film’s favor, the writing is where 'Thug Life' stumbles. Co-written by Kamal Haasan and Mani Ratnam, the screenplay lacks the emotional and narrative complexity one expects from a duo of this calibre. Mani Ratnam does a decent job executing what the script allows, but overall, the film doesn’t leave a strong impression in terms of storytelling.
Music
A.R. Rahman’s music is one of the highlights. The songs are energetic, and the background score amplifies the stylish tone of the film. The musical interludes are sure to get audiences tapping their feet.
Final verdict
'Thug Life' is a film driven by its star power and glossy execution rather than a gripping narrative. It may not be Mani Ratnam’s most memorable film, but Kamal Haasan’s performance alone makes it worth a watch. Stylish, well-acted, and visually impressive—but narratively safe—it’s a one-time watch that fans of Haasan wouldn’t want to miss.