
Thug Life (2025) Movie – HDHub4u
Thug Life brings together Kamal Haasan and director Mani Ratnam after 37 long years since their cult classic Nayakan. This action-drama-thriller hit theaters on June 5, 2025, and has already created massive buzz with over 77,000 advance bookings.
Film Name: | Thug Life |
Directed By: | Mani Ratnam |
Featured Cast: | Silambarasan, Trisha Krishnan, Kamal Haasan |
Lead Star: | Kamal Haasan |
Duration: | 2h 43m |
Category: | Crime, Drama, Action |
Launch Date: | 4 Jun 2025 |
Studio: | Raajkamal Films International, Madras Talkies |
Score: | 5/10 |

The film features an impressive star cast including Silambarasan T.R., Trisha Krishnan, Ali Fazal, Abhirami, and Nasser. A.R. Rahman’s music adds another layer of excellence to this ambitious gangster saga.
Thug Life Cast Details
Cast | Character |
---|---|
Ali Fazal | |
Trisha Krishnan | Indrani |
Ashok Selvan | |
Abhirami | Annalakshmi |
Kamal Haasan | Rangaraya Sakthivel |
Silambarasan | Amaran |
Aishwarya Lekshmi | |
Mahesh Manjrekar | |
Nassar | Manickam |
Joju George |



Plot and Story
The story follows gang leader Sakthivel who adopts Amaran after saving him during a gang war. Years later, Sakthivel survives an assassination attempt and suspects Amaran’s involvement. This leads to an intense conflict of loyalty and revenge.
Kamal Haasan plays Rangaraya Sakthivel Nayakar, a complex character navigating the dangerous world of crime and justice. The narrative promises a larger-than-life experience typical of Ratnam’s storytelling style.
Cast Performance
Kamal Haasan’s return to the gangster genre brings huge expectations, especially after the legendary success of Nayakan. I found his performance to be commanding and intense, showing why he remains one of India’s finest actors.
Trisha, Simbu, and Abhirami deliver solid performances in their respective roles. The chemistry between the cast members feels natural and adds depth to the overall narrative.
Direction and Technical Aspects
Mani Ratnam’s direction showcases his trademark attention to detail and ability to extract nuanced performances. I appreciate how he handles the complex relationship dynamics between the characters.
A.R. Rahman’s music composition creates the perfect atmosphere for this gangster drama. The background score elevates key dramatic moments and adds emotional weight to crucial scenes.
My Review Experience
I went into this film with high expectations given the legendary combination. The reunion of Haasan and Ratnam after decades is truly special for cinema lovers. The production values are impressive and the technical crew has done excellent work.
However, I noticed some pacing issues in certain sequences that could have been tighter. While the story is engaging, it occasionally feels familiar to other gangster films in the genre.
Critics and Public Response
Early reviews have been mixed with critics praising the reunion but pointing out narrative concerns. Some reviews criticized the film’s pacing, calling certain sequences too lengthy.
Fan response on social media has been largely positive. Audiences seem to appreciate the return of this iconic director-actor combination after so many years.
Box Office Performance
With over 77,000 advance bookings, the film is set for a strong opening weekend. However, it faces some challenges including legal issues that affected its release in Karnataka.
Despite these hurdles, Thug Life represents a significant moment in Tamil cinema and could influence future gangster genre projects.
What I Liked
The reunion factor is the film’s biggest strength. Watching Kamal Haasan and Mani Ratnam work together again feels like a cinematic event. Rahman’s music perfectly complements the intense storyline.
The ensemble cast brings gravitas to their roles. Production values are top-notch and the technical aspects are handled professionally.
What Could Be Better
The pacing needs improvement in several sequences. Some scenes feel unnecessarily stretched and could benefit from tighter editing.
The narrative structure, while ambitious, feels somewhat predictable for audiences familiar with gangster films. A few fresh elements could have made it more engaging.
Final Thoughts
Thug Life is a solid gangster drama that benefits from the legendary combination of its creators. While it may not revolutionize the genre, it offers quality cinema with strong performances.
For Kamal Haasan and Mani Ratnam fans, this film is a nostalgic journey worth taking. For general audiences, it provides a well-crafted drama with moments of brilliance.
I’d recommend this film to anyone who appreciates quality filmmaking and wants to witness two masters of cinema working together again. Despite some flaws, it’s a worthwhile cinematic experience that showcases why these artists remain relevant today.