"Thug Life (2025) Review — Star Power Can’t Save This Gangster Tale"

Release Date: June 5, 2025

Cast: Kamal Haasan, Silambarasan TR, Trisha, Joju George, Mahesh Manjrekar

Director: Mani Ratnam

Music: A.R. Rahman

Rating: ⭐⭐☆☆☆ (2.15/5)

When two legends like Kamal Haasan and Mani Ratnam work together again after 35 years, fans expect something amazing. Sadly, Thug Life does not live up to that hope. The film has a few good moments, but overall, it feels like a missed chance.

Story: Seen It Before

Thug Life tells the story of Rangaraya Sakthivel (Kamal Haasan), an old and respected gangster. He takes care of a boy, Amaran (Silambarasan TR), whose father he accidentally got killed. Sakthivel raises Amaran and promises to find his missing sister, but even after 20 years, he still can’t.

As Amaran grows up to be a gangster himself, problems arise within their gang. Some members, including Sakthivel’s own brother, turn against him. Meanwhile, enemies from the outside and inside try to take him down.

The first half of the movie builds some interest. when the characters such as the bar singer played by Trisha and the determined cop portrayed by Ashok Selvan show early potential. But as the movie goes on, many storylines are forgotten or poorly handled. The second half becomes confusing and slow.

Heartbroken. This isn’t the #ThugLife we hoped for.

While Kamal Haasan and STR deliver powerful performances — true beasts on screen — the film loses steam halfway. The plot stretches with no real depth or payoff, and the minimal staging is shockingly underwhelming for a Mani Ratnam film. A missed opportunity from legends.

Acting: The Main Strength

Kamal Haasan and Silambarasan TR give strong performances. They try hard to lift the film. Trisha, Joju George, and others also do well, but their characters are not given enough depth. The villains don’t feel dangerous or interesting.

Visuals & Music: Good but Not Great

The movie looks beautiful. The camera work and action scenes are well done. A.R. Rahman’s music is okay, but not as powerful as expected. Some songs feel out of place, and the background score doesn’t always match the mood.

Final Words: Disappointing but Watchable for Fans

Thug Life had the potential to be a great gangster drama, but weak writing and slow pace pull it down. The movie feels long and lacks emotion in key moments. It’s not a terrible film, but it’s far from great.

#ThugLifeReview – Honest Take on Kamal Haasan’s Latest Release

Even with massive expectations from the much-awaited Mani Ratnam–Kamal Haasan collaboration, Thug Life fails to offer a truly engaging movie experience. While the visuals and performances—especially Kamal Haasan and Silambarasan TR—stand out, the film struggles in storytelling, emotional depth, and consistency.Overall Rating: 2.15/5

Story: 2.25/5 – Lacks punch and clarity

BGM/Music: 2.5/5 – Surprisingly underwhelming for an AR Rahman soundtrack

Visuals: 3/5 – A treat to the eyes

1st Half: 2.65/5 – A decent buildup

Interval: 2.5/5 – Average impact

2nd Half: 2/5 – Falls flat

Emotion: 2.25/5 – Didn't connect deeply

Acting Performances: 3.5/5 – The cast tries hard and shines in parts

Climax: 2.5/5 – Feels rushed and unsatisfying

While the team gave it their best, Thug Life ends up being a visually rich but emotionally dull experience. Fans of Kamal Haasan and Mani Ratnam might still enjoy watching it once. But if you’re expecting something as iconic as Nayakan, you’ll be disappointed.

Ratings (Out of 5):

Story: 2.25

Acting: 3.5

Music: 2.5

Visuals: 3

Direction: 2

Overall: 2.15/5

Big stars, weak story. Watch only if you're a die-hard fan.