‘Thug Life’: Kamal Haasan-Mani Ratnam film drops on OTT after 28-day theatrical run

‘Thug Life’, a gangster drama starring Kamal Haasan and directed by Mani Ratnam, is now streaming on OTT

Thug Life, starring Kamal Haasan and directed by Mani Ratnam, has arrived on the OTT space after its 28-day theatrical run. The gangster drama, which hit the screens on June 05, 2025, failed to create magic at the box office.

Produced by Kamal Haasan’s Raaj Kamal Films International and Mani Ratnam’s Madras Talkies, Thug Life is currently streaming on Netflix. The Tamil film also stars Silambarasan T R, Nasser, Trisha, Joju George and Ashok Selvan.

Thug Life opened to negative reviews from critics. Fans were disappointed that the Kamal Haasan-Mani Ratnam combinaion couldn’t recreate the magic of Nayakan (1987), the first collaboration between the two artists. The movie is about an ageing gangster who has to protect his family when a power struggle tears through his clan, and enemies return seeking vengeance.

The Hindu review of the film said, “It doesn’t help that the film fails to add more to its archaic fight-for-the-throne conflict at the centre of the film. Subplots and layers seem added purely for convenience, like a character that returns in the climax to serve a meagre purpose.

You also feel bad for Silambarasan since Amar never comes into his own or grows beyond what the plot requires him to do. A lion’s share of the screen space is given to Kamal, and the veteran aces his role as an ageing man fighting the God of Death — be it in the more tender moments like the aforementioned scene with Abhirami, or the many face-offs he has on rooftops and cliffs. But is he really feeling the weight of his actions or questioning his morality as the Sakthivel Naicker we once knew? The verdict is still out.”

Thug Life missed its release in Karnataka due to a controversy. During a promotional event, Kamal Haasan said that “Kannada language is born from Tamil”, leading to widespread opposition in the State.

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The Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) expressed its non-cooperation with the film until an apology from the actor. The makers of Thug Life moved court for a smooth release of the movie. Despite a favourable response from the Supreme Court, Thug Life had no takers in Karnataka as it failed to meet expectations at the box office.