Chennai was ground zero for cinematic happiness as the much-awaited trailer of Thug Life — the incredible collaboration between Kamal Haasan, Mani Ratnam, and A.R. Rahman—was launched with thunderous applause in a star-studded event.
The evening saw the titans of the film grace the stage—Kamal Haasan, Mani Ratnam, A.R. Rahman, Silambarasan TR (STR), Trisha, Abhirami, and Ashok Selvan—each met with a standing ovation. As the trailer rolled, the atmosphere electrified with gasps, cheers, and overwhelming excitement. Kamal Haasan’s fierce transformation and magnetic screen presence, Ravi K. Chandran’s arresting visuals, and Rahman’s soul-piercing score was showcased in a montage that evoked power, pain, and purpose. At its core, Thug Life promises a saga of revenge and betrayal, told through the eyes of a man who refuses to be tamed.
The evening featured candid talk sessions with the cast, where Kamal Haasan and Mani Ratnam opened up about their collaboration after 36 years. Rahman spoke about how the score is as much a character in the film as the protagonist. STR, Trisha, and the supporting cast shared their experiences working under Mani Ratnam’s legendary direction and matching steps with Kamal Haasan’s powerhouse performance.
In Thug Life, Kamal Haasan plays Rangaraya Sakthivel Nayakar, a complex figure navigating the shadows of crime and justice. Mani Ratnam’s script and direction promise a larger-than-life narrative, while Rahman’s compositions are expected to heighten the drama and emotional stakes.
Check out the trailer!
The launch, an extraordinary affair, was held at the The Thugfluencers Event a full-blown, immersive festival for fans, creators, and influencers who descended from across the country to witness the storm that is Thug Life. A playground for creators, the event doubled up as a haven for digital creators and influencers from across the country, who were treated to curated experiential zones across the venue: The Jinguchaa Song Reel Zone had fans dancing to the film’s catchy number, designed to go viral across reels and shorts. A Film by Mani Ratnam Zone gave cinephiles a chance to step into the maestro’s world, dissecting scenes and cinematic moments through interactive displays. RKFI Movies Zone paid tribute to the iconic banner’s legacy, from Nayakan to Thug Life. AR Selfie Zone with Kamal Haasan and STR had fans lining up to grab once-in-a-lifetime pictures with digital avatars of the stars. Vinvelli Nayagan Setup recreated the intense, otherworldly look from the teaser, where fans donned the signature Kamal Haasan costume and pose. Thugs Zone brought alive the grit and grime of the film’s underworld setting with stylized backdrops and props for reels and photoshoots. Epic!
Produced by Kamal Haasan’s Raaj Kamal Films International, Mani Ratnam’s Madras Talkies, R. Mahendran, and Siva Ananth, Thug Life boasts an ensemble cast of stellar performers. Kamal Haasan leads the film as Rangaraaya Sakthivel Naicker, alongside Silambarasan TR, Trisha Krishnan, Ashok Selvan, Aishwarya Lekshmi, Joju George, and Abhirami in pivotal roles. Adding to the star power, the film also features Nassar, Chetan, Mahesh Manjrekar, Tanikella Bharani, Bagavathi Perumal, Chinni Jayanth, and Vaiyapuri. Further enriching its grandeur, Thug Life includes Ali Fazal, Rohit Saraf, Baburaj, Arjun Chidambaram, Rajshri Deshpande, Sanya Malhotra, and Vadivukarasi, promising an ensemble of powerhouse performances. With Mani Ratnam at the helm and A.R. Rahman’s music, Thug Life is all set for a worldwide theatrical release on June 5, 2025. Brace yourself for an electrifying cinematic experience like never before!
