‘Thug Life’ faces backlash amid poor reviews and negative response

The highly anticipated reunion of director Mani Ratnam and actor Kamal Haasan in “Thug Life” has sparked widespread disappointment following its release on June 5. The Tamil-language gangster drama, which had generated immense buzz thanks to the duo’s legendary 1987 film Nayakan,”” has been met with sharp criticism from critics and audiences alike. The reactions cite sluggish pacing, a predictable plot, and a lack of emotional depth — leaving many filmgoers frustrated.

Starring Kamal Haasan as mafia kingpin Rangaraya Sakthivel and Silambarasan TR as his protégé Amar, alongside Trisha Krishnan, Abhirami, and Joju George, the film promised a gripping tale of loyalty, betrayal, and revenge.

Strong first half, boring second half

While many acknowledged a strong first half, the narrative reportedly collapses into a “half-baked” and “cliché-ridden” second half. Frequent complaints include “never-ending monologues” and a “directionless screenplay.” One reviewer commented that Thug Life “had potential but ends up dragging,” praising Haasan’s performance but lamenting the film’s tiresome narrative and missing Mani Ratnam’s trademark storytelling spark.

Other reviewers were harsher, calling the film a “monumental disaster” and an uninspired rehash of familiar gangster dramas.

Other reviews

Critics echoed these sentiments across major publications. Hindustan Times described the screenplay as “old wine in an old bottle,” noting that the film loses steam midway and fails to recreate the Nayakan magic. The Hindu labelled it a “generic gangster drama” with little emotional resonance, despite Ravi K. Chandran’s excellent cinematography and Haasan’s commanding screen presence. Telugucinema.com slammed the film for its boring narration, saying: “While it starts off with some promise, the film gradually loses momentum and descends into a tedious experience. The entire second half is muddled and lacks coherence. In the end, “Thug Life” turns out to be a misfire from the legendary duo of Kamal Haasan and Mani Ratnam.”

At the box office, Thug Life’s opening was lukewarm, earning Rs17 crore on day one — significantly lower than Kamal Haasan’s Indian 2 (Rs 25.6 crore) and Ratnam’s Ponniyin Selvan 2 (Rs 24 crore).

While some viewers praised Haasan and Silambarasan’s performances and A.R. Rahman’s score, the prevailing public sentiment remains largely negative. Many have called it “the worst movie of the year,” while others expressed shock that Mani Ratnam could deliver such an “outdated and boring” film. As disappointment lingers, “Thug Life” stands as a rare misstep for the celebrated Ratnam-Haasan partnership.