Thug Life movie review and box office collection live updates: Kamal Haasan and Silambarasan likely to have 20 crore opening

Praise for Aishwarya Lekshmi

One Twitter user wrote, "Aishwarya Lekshmi was the best part of #ThugLife for me, but by the time this doctor tried to save, the film was already dead for me. Would love to see her as a full-length Mani Ratnam protagonist one day!."

Trisha’s Underwritten Role in ‘Thug Life’ Sparks Fan Disappointment and Trolls

Trisha portrays the love interest of both Kamal Haasan and Silambarasan TR (Simbu) in the film, but her character arc has been described as thin and underdeveloped. Fans, who were hoping for a layered, meaningful presence in the narrative, have expressed disappointment at how little impact her role had on the story. Several viewers noted that Trisha’s screen time felt tokenistic and that her character lacked emotional or narrative weight.

Ranks Fourth-Highest Tamil Debut of 2025

Mani Ratnam and Kamal Haasan’s long-awaited collaboration Thug Life arrived in cinemas on 5 June (Thursday) amid towering expectations but only mixed-to-negative reviews. Early trade estimates place its India-net opening at ₹17 crore, a figure substantial enough to put the film in the year’s top tier yet well short of the “bumper” launch many had forecast. Ticket sales were brisk in Tamil Nadu, Kerala and overseas markets, confirming the drawing power of the Haasan–Ratnam pairing even when critical consensus is divided.

Dulquer Salmaan & Jayam Ravi’s Exit from ‘Thug Life’ Hailed by Netizens After Mixed Reviews

Following the film's release, social media platforms were flooded with reactions, but what stood out was the sentiment around actors Dulquer Salmaan and Jayam Ravi (Ravi Mohan), who were originally part of the cast. The actors exited the film during pre-production in 2024, reportedly due to scheduling conflicts and prior commitments.

Now, with Thug Life underperforming critically, fans are calling their exit a smart decision. One netizen posted on X, “#ThugLifeReview: DQ and Jayam Ravi now in cloud 9 — It’s not a costly miss, just a miss.” Another added, “Jayam Ravi escaped another horror.” The reaction reflects growing discontent among fans who expected more from a Mani Ratnam-Kamal Haasan collaboration.

Mohanlal’s ‘Chotta Mumbai’ Re-Release to Clash with Kamal Haasan’s Thug Life

Mohanlal’s fan-favourite action-comedy Chotta Mumbai is making a spectacular return to theatres on June 6, 2025, with a digitally remastered 4K version and immersive Atmos sound. The 2007 hit, directed by Anwar Rasheed, has received a technical upgrade and is set for a re-release that’s already generating nostalgic excitement across Kerala and beyond.

Over 1,000 Kamal Haasan Fans Flock to Hosur to Watch Thug Life Amid Karnataka Ban

With Kamal Haasan’s Thug Life facing a screening ban in Karnataka following his controversial remarks on the Kannada language, more than 1,000 of his devoted fans made their way to Hosur, Tamil Nadu, to watch the film on its release day, June 5.

Thug Life Opens to Mixed Reviews, Earns ₹17 Crore on Day 1

Kamal Haasan’s highly anticipated film Thug Life, directed by Mani Ratnam, hit theatres on June 5 amid high expectations and pre-release buzz. Marking a grand reunion of the legendary actor-director duo after decades, the film had generated immense excitement among fans and cinephiles alike.

However, early reports suggest a moderate start at the box office. According to industry tracker Sacnilk, Thug Life netted around ₹17 crore across India on its opening day. While this is a respectable figure, it falls short when compared to Kamal Haasan’s previous outing, Indian 2, which raked in ₹25.6 crore on its debut day.

Housefull 5 vs Thug Life – Kamal Haasan Takes Early Lead Over Akshay Kumar

Despite a record screen count and strong advance bookings, Housefull 5 opened modestly with Rs 58 lakhs, while Kamal Haasan’s Thug Life surged ahead with Rs 17 crore on Day 1. The Kannada ban impacted Thug Life, but it still outpaced Akshay Kumar’s comedy entertainer in early collections.

Kamal Haasan’s much-anticipated action drama Thug Life, directed by Mani Ratnam, hit the big screens today (June 5), and the film received lukewarm responses from both fans and critics despite considerable buzz. Early estimates suggest that the film managed to earn Rs 17 crore at the domestic box office by 10 PM, which is nowhere near Kamal's recent film Indian 2’s first-day box office collection.

According to Sacnilk, Indian 2 had recorded Rs 25.6 crore on its opening day, despite being labelled a box office failure. It appears that Thug Life may fall short of the mark and fail to surpass Indian 2’s opening day collection. Official figures are still awaited from the makers, with only a few hours remaining.

Occupancy rates for the Tamil version of Thug Life showed a gradual decline throughout the day. Overall occupancy stood at 48.72% on Thursday. Morning shows saw a 50.66% turnout, which dipped slightly to 50.35% in the afternoon. Evening shows witnessed a more noticeable drop to 45.15%. Among all regions, Pondicherry registered the highest occupancy at 69.33%.

Silambarasan fans call him an 'underrated' actor in Kollywood after 'Thug Life' release

"There is no one underrated in Kollywood like #SilambarasanTR . Finest actor and a pure star material. He’ll be unstoppable if he teams up with talented directors and picks his scripts wisely.
#ThugLife"

Fans support Kamal Haasan amidst negative reviews for 'Thug Life'

Fans feel sad for AR Rahman after delivering a fantastic album for Kamal Haasan's 'Thug Life'

Netizens say Kamal Haasan's 'Thug Life' made them forget 'Nayakan'

'Thug Life' box office collection day 1: Kamal Haasan and Silambarasan starrer opens strong in Tamil Nadu

'Thug Life' box office collection day 1 (live): Kamal Haasan and Silambarasan starrer opens strong in Tamil Nadu

Kamal Haasan’s long-awaited gangster drama 'Thug Life,' helmed by director Mani Ratnam, has finally hit theatres across the globe, except in Karnataka, where the film has not been released due to the ongoing controversy over Kamal Haasan’s remark about Kannada’s origins. Despite the regional hiccup, the film opened to solid numbers in Tamil Nadu, where Kamal's fanbase continues to show strong support.

'Thug Life' registers massive screen count across Tamil Nadu

According to Sacnilk, 'Thug Life' registered an impressive start in its home territory. Released in over 800 screens across Tamil Nadu, the film clocked more than 3,000 shows on Day 1. Cities like Chennai and Chengalpattu alone hosted over 1,100 shows across 110 screens. In Coimbatore, the film ran in 95 theatres with 790 shows, while Madurai had 49 screens with 491 shows. Dindigul and Pondicherry also contributed notable show counts, with 37 and 57 shows respectively.

Hindi and Telugu versions see lukewarm response

While the Tamil version surged ahead with a solid opening, other languages saw disappointing results. The Hindi version, released in a massive 4,092 shows, earned just Rs 25 lakh on Day 1, highlighting a poor response in North India. The Telugu version, though faring slightly better, collected a modest Rs 53 lakh across 1,800+ shows. Despite these numbers, 'Thug Life' managed to earn Rs 5.2 crore in India from its Tamil version on its first day, with total advance bookings across languages touching ₹6.6 crore.

Netizens brief what went wrong in Mani Ratnam's 'Thug Life'

Thug Life facts!

Silambarasan character was originally written for Ravi Mohan & Ashok Selvan character created for Silambarasan. Dulquer Salman‘s character is completely cut from the original script.

'Thug Life' faces social media memes

Fans express disappoinment over Muththa Mazhai song placement

Kudutha kaasuku at least muththa mazhai song aacham potu irukalam. At least post credit la aacham potu irukalam. Worstu #ThugLife #KamalHaasan #ManiRatnam

Robo Shankar praises Thug Life

Kamal Haasan-Silambarasan combo in Thug Life was really good, shares Robo Shankar after watching the film with fans in Chennai

Kamal Haasan starrer slips in the second half

Starts of nicely, proceeds on a downhill and crashes at the end. Kamal and his fantasies ????‍???? Makes it unbearable..... Rahman was ok, str???? Nonetheless a one time watch for the visually beautiful Rod movie #ThugLifeReview #ThugLife

A die-hard Mani Ratnam cheers for the legendary director

Honestly to say thuglife is not good. As a mani sir fan hard to say but sad reality.Usual story,could have concentrated in more story wise creatively???? Anyways always a mani sir fan???? It's OK mani sir next film pathukalam

Fans found resemblance of popular series in Thug Life

At the end of first half, felt the movie is a rehash & a simpler form of Mirzapur & Paatalok series.. Kamal & STR chemistry is the only thing that holds the film to some extent. #Thuglife

An emotional tale!

Director Ameer backs Kamal Haasan: says public understood his words right

“He didn’t speak anything wrong in any language. People have understood him correctly.” These were the words of director Ameer, who came to watch Thug Life in Madurai. He expressed that Kamal Haasan’s recent remarks were fair and rightly interpreted by the public, brushing aside the controversy.

Kamal Haasan and Mani Ratnam’s much-anticipated film 'Thug Life' is not just a cinematic event; it's a reunion of two icons of Indian cinema, coming together after 36 years since their cult classic 'Nayakan.' The film, which has already generated massive buzz across South India, promises a mix of powerful storytelling, striking visuals, and high-octane action, wrapped in Mani Ratnam’s signature style and Kamal Haasan’s unmatched screen presence.

Star-studded cast and creative team

At the heart of 'Thug Life' is Kamal Haasan, who leads the cast as Rangaraya Sakthivel Nayakar, a layered character that marks his return to gritty action drama. He’s joined by an ensemble that includes Trisha, Silambarasan , Ashok Selva, Gautham Karthik, Joju George, Abhirami, and Nasser in pivotal roles. The film also marks the comeback of music director AR Rahman with Mani Ratnam, promising a powerful and experimental soundtrack.

Kamal Haasan’s 'Vikram' roars in Japan amid 'Thug Life' release

Just days before the release of 'Thug Life,' Kamal Haasan’s eagerly awaited next outing, his 2022 blockbuster 'Vikram' has taken Japan by storm. The action-packed thriller made its Japanese theatrical debut on May 30, marking a grand re-entry for the actor on international screens. Releasing across 54 theaters, the film has quickly become a crowd-puller, setting the stage for record-breaking footfalls and grossing over ₹50 lakh in just its first three days.

Kamal Haasan's fans from Bengaluru go to Hosur to watch 'Thug Life'

Chennai, 'Thug Life,' a Kamal Haasan and Mani Ratnam come back movie after nearly 4 decades hit the screens on Thursday, as several frenzied fans reportedly travelled from Bengaluru to watch the movie at nearby Hosur in Tamil Nadu.

The big ticket gangster movie was accorded a big reception in Tamil Nadu by fans of Haasan and Silambarasan TR who burst firecrackers, cut cakes and danced to choicest tunes on the premises of movie halls. Some hysterical fans popped open beer bottles and poured the beverage on giant images (popularly known as cutout) of their beloved stars.

Thug Life receives mixed reviews

Starts of nicely, proceeds on a downhill and crashes at the end. Kamal and his fantasies ????‍???? Makes it unbearable..... Rahman was ok, str???? Nonetheless a one time watch for the visually beautiful Rod movie
#ThugLifeReview #ThugLife

Nayakan fans disappointed with Thug Life

Mani Ratnam has not delivered even 10% of what he achieved in Nayakan. The storyline is predictable, the pacing is slow, and the performances feel flat. Despite having big actors, he did not deliver a sure-shot blockbuster, which is surely disappointing

Twitter review

One Twitter review reads, "It was uninteresting, routine, emotionless aimless and unimpressive in every way, yet undeniably musical and stylish.

#Thuglife."

Criticisms for the second half

Even though the first half of the film had received good reviews, netizens are criticizing the second half. One Twitter review reads, "#Thuglife The second half goes downhill. Surprisingly too much talking in a maniratnam film. #STR and drama goes missing until pre climax in the second half. Only good moment in second half is the climax. It's hard to watch ur favorite director making a mediocre movie."

Shock of the year!

One Twitter review read, "Shock of the year. #Indian2 >> #ThugLife as a movie and never in a million years would I have thought Mani Ratnam would make such a film."

Kamal Haasan Admirers Travel 42 km to Watch Thug Life Amid Karnataka Ban

Despite the ban on Thug Life in Karnataka over Kamal Haasan’s “Kannada is born from Tamil” remark, loyal fans are undeterred. Many are traveling 42 km from Bengaluru to Hosur to watch the film, with social media flooded with posts celebrating their dedication to the actor and his latest release.

Chinmayi’s ‘Muththa Mazhai (Reprise)’ from Thug Life Out Now After Fan Demand

Chinmayi’s much-anticipated version of Muththa Mazhai from Kamal Haasan’s Thug Life is finally out on streaming platforms. Titled the Reprise, this AR Rahman composition gained popularity after Chinmayi's stirring live performance at the audio launch. While Dhee sang the original Tamil version, Chinmayi lent her voice to the Telugu and Hindi versions—and now, her rendition is officially available, even though the track is said to be missing from the film itself.

Our official review for the film reads, "The film is a collection of gangster movie clichés - gang rivalry, betrayal, jealousy and vengeance - strung together with a plot that revolves around a fearless, respected and seemingly immortal gangster (Kamal Haasan) and his relationship with the boy (Silambarasan TR) whose life he accidentally ruins and chooses to raise as his family. Despite familiar arcs, the leisurely paced first half manages to hold our interest, at least with the anticipation that there must be something deeper coming soon. But soon, with uninspired writing and weak characterisation, Thug Life becomes a slog."

Had potential... but

One Twitter user wrote, "#ThugLife had potential but ends up dragging. Kamal Haasan delivers a solid performance, but his never-ending monologues wear you down. Simbu handles his part well, but even that can’t rescue the sluggish, flat second half. The trademark Mani Ratnam spark? Nowhere to be found."

Did Mani Ratnam impress the audiences?

The first reviews for the movie are in. One Twitter user wrote, "#Thuglife The second half goes downhill. Surprisingly too much talking in a maniratnam film. #STR and drama goes missing until pre climax in the second half. Only good moment in second half is the climax. It's hard to watch ur favorite director making a mediocre movie."

A failed attempt?

One Twitter review reads, "#ThugLifeReview (2025) :

KH-Trisha love portions r Dull. STR, Abirami Neat. Songs gud. Delhi landscape visuals super. Weak Story, No emotions, No twists; Unexciting & Draggy Narratin. DISAPPOINTMENT!

Cinema,Politics& Family ~ FAILED!"

'Thug Life' marks a highly anticipated collaboration between two legends of Indian cinema Kamal Haasan and Mani Ratnam. Packed with a stellar cast, powerful music, and a gripping storyline, 'Thug Life' promises a cinematic experience like no other. The highly-anticipated film has peaked well in advance bookings and is set to open huge at the box office. Here are five compelling reasons why you shouldn’t miss this blockbuster.

'Coolie' storm hits hard during 'Thug Life' interval

Fans rate Mani Ratnam and Kamal Haasan's film a solid one

Kamal Haasan and Mani Ratnam’s much-anticipated film 'Thug Life' is not just a cinematic event; it's a reunion of two icons of Indian cinema, coming together after 36 years since their cult classic 'Nayakan.' The film, which has already generated massive buzz across South India, promises a mix of powerful storytelling, striking visuals, and high-octane action, wrapped in Mani Ratnam’s signature style and Kamal Haasan’s unmatched screen presence.

At a grand press meet ahead of Thug Life’s theatrical release on June 5, 2025, Kamal Haasan addressed the media with heartfelt remarks about his journey, Tamil cinema, and the power of collaboration. Speaking with emotion and clarity, Kamal Haasan said, “My dream is to shake up Tamil cinema. Even if we can't overturn it completely, we want to gently push it in a direction we believe in.” He praised director Mani Ratnam as a “cinematic sage” and described working with him again as a thrilling experience. Reflecting on his bond with the audience, Kamal added, “I owe a deep thanks to Tamil Nadu. When I say on stage that Tamil is my body and breath, I now understand the true meaning of those words.”

Mani Ratnam’s much-anticipated gangster drama 'Thug Life,' which got released today (June 5) in theaters, is already generating buzz not just for its cinematic scale but also for its upcoming digital release. Headlined by Kamal Haasan, the film will land on Netflix following its theatrical run, ensuring fans who miss the big-screen experience can catch it online. The OTT platform has acquired the streaming rights in a major deal, reaffirming the film’s strong commercial potential and wide-reaching appeal. It is worth mentioning that Kamal Haasan earlier confirmed during the film's promotion that 'Thug Life' will be available in OTT only after 8 weeks, as the team aims for a wider release in the Hindi market.

Thug Life Movie Review and Release Live Updates: First half builds the buzz

#Thuglife 1st half : Neat engaging till now. CCV vibes???? KH, STR performance???? ARR sedhukkal BGM, Jinguchaa ???????? Same Don chair ku aasa padura story but Mani screenplay good. Technically very strong. Trisha portion has little lag. Mathapadi pakka. Interval - STR????

Thug Life Movie Review and Release Live Updates: Mani Ratnam's directorial impresses fans

One of the film’s highlights is the black-and-white opening, where #KamalHaasan looks fantastic in the de-aged flashback. His character seems to flirt with death itself, forming a symbolic bond with Yaman, the god of death, through a series of near-death experiences.

Thug Life Movie Review and Release Live Updates: Kamal Haasan on Karnataka issue

"I have to thank the entire Tamil Nadu for standing by me with love. ♥️ Now, I truly understand the depth of 'Uyire, Urave, Tamizhe'. ????

Thug Life Movie Review and Release Live Updates: Suresh Kamatchi sends his wishes for Kamal Haasan and Mani Ratnam's film

With high expectations, heartfelt wishes for the grand success of our Ulaganayagan @ikamalhaasan’s Thug Life, releasing today. May this film be another milestone for dear Ilavarasu Simbu @SilambarasanTR_ as well. #ThugLife