“Thug Life” Movie Review

A Stylishly Mounted Gangster Drama Powered by Kamal Haasan and Mani Ratnam

Thug Life brings together two titans—Kamal Haasan and Mani Ratnam—for a modern gangster saga that’s grand in ambition and visually arresting. Kamal delivers a blazing performance as Sakthivel, an ageing don grappling with guilt, love, and mortality. His screen presence anchors the film, while Silambarasan TR offers a subtly powerful portrayal as Amar, his adopted son. Together, they bring emotional gravitas to a film that thrives on style, mood, and atmosphere.

Mani Ratnam returns to familiar territory but chooses to explore it through the lens of mainstream sensibilities. The film doesn’t reinvent the gangster genre, but it reimagines it with sleek production design, poetic visuals, and an underlying emotional current. From the opening monochrome scenes in 1994 Old Delhi to the brooding stillness of the present-day narrative, the storytelling is punctuated by Rahman’s evocative score—most notably the haunting “Anju Vanna Poove.”

Thug Life takes a different path, choosing grandeur over intimacy. The emotional spine of the film lies in Sakthivel’s promise to reunite two orphaned siblings. This arc, especially the scenes between Sakthivel and Amar, and with his wife Jeeva (a dignified Abhirami), is handled with quiet intensity and emotional maturity.

Kamal Haasan delivers a brilliant performance as Rangaraaya Sakthivel, bringing depth and gravitas to the character. He truly shines in two standout moments — an intense car sequence with Silambarasan and a poignant beachside interaction with Abhirami — both showcasing his remarkable range and emotional command. Nassar is equally impressive as Manickam, the envious brother, portraying his character’s inner conflict with subtlety and strength.

Trisha’s Indrani brings glamour, though her character deserved more exploration. Still, the film offers well-crafted moments of vulnerability and internal conflict. While some character backstories feel compressed, the narrative shines whenever Mani Ratnam leans into character-driven drama—like Sakthivel’s tender moments with Jeeva or his guilt-ridden past.

Visually, the film is a treat. Ravi K. Chandran’s cinematography and Thota Tharani’s production design breathe life into every frame. Even with minimal songs, A.R. Rahman elevates the film’s emotional quotient.

Thug Life may not redefine the genre, but it stands tall as a richly crafted, emotionally layered film powered by Kamal’s powerhouse performance and Ratnam’s cinematic vision. It’s a film that rewards attentive viewing, offering glimmers of brilliance beneath its stylized surface.

Cast -Kamal Haasan, Silambarasan TR, Trisha, Joju George, Aishwarya Lekshmi, Ashok Selvan, Abhirami, Nasser & others

Producer – Kamal Haasan, R. Mahendran, Mani Ratnam, Siva Ananth

Director – Mani Ratnam

Rating…4.4/5

Diamond Babu & Sathish Kumar (PROS)

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