By Pavethran Batmanathen,
Mani Ratnam’s latest gangster saga, Thug Life, reteams the iconic duo behind Nayakan—director Mani Ratnam and actor Kamal Haasan, but ultimately fails to revive the magic of their earlier collaboration. Sporting a lengthy runtime of two hours and 39 minutes, the film’s heavy reliance on car chases, gunfights and raw violence ends up feeling exhausting rather gripping.
Kamal Haasan delivers a seasoned, gritty portrayal of an ageing criminal lord, and Silambarasan brings energy in a supporting role, even if his character is underdeveloped. Trisha, portraying a sex worker, challenges her own boundaries, but the screenplay’s shallow treatment of female characters reduces them to mere plot devices.
A.R. Rahman’s dramatic background score and slick visuals by cinematographer Ravi K. Chandran stand out, yet they can’t compensate for the predictable storyline and lack of emotional depth, particularly in the second half.
Critics say the film’s narrative leans too heavily on familiar gangster tropes without offering fresh insight. While the duo’s reunion drew significant buzz, the weight of nostalgia only magnified expectations, making Thug Life feel underwhelming by comparison.
In summary, Thug Life may delight viewers seeking stylised action and fan service from Kamal Haasan and Mani Ratnam, but it misses the resonance and innovation that made Nayakan a landmark in Tamil cinema.
