Kamal Haasan's 'Thug Life' First Review, Netizen Says, 'The Trademark Mani Ratnam Spark? Nowhere...'

Kamal Haasan’s Thug Life, directed by ace director, Mani Ratnam, has been finally released on June 5, 2025. Amid the controversy surrounding the movie’s release in Karnataka, the first reviews of Thug Life are already out. Kamal Haasan starrer, Thug Life has set the social media abuzz with mixed reactions. Taking to their X handles (previously Twitter), netizens have shared their reviews. Some users were seen sharing disappointment by saying that Nayakan can happen only once. For the unversed, Kamal Haasan starrer, Nayakan is a cult classic of 1987, directed by Mani Ratnam.

Is Kamal Haasan starrer, Thug Life worth watching?

The negative comments on Thug Life clearly indicate that the audience had high expectations, as Kamal and Mani Ratnam had a reunion after 37 years. Many expected Thug Life to be a major hit like Nayakan, but the former failed to impress the audience. Sharing disappointment, one user wrote, "Failed attempts, screenplay is too vague, Nayakan can happen only once. This is such a below-par work from both #KamalHaasan and #ManiRatnam, what the hell is Trisha’s role, man, worst." Another X user shared similar disappointment and also added that Thug Life’s storyline was predictable. The comment of the user can be read as:

"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."

Netizens also criticised Thug Life for not being able to build up any emotional connection. Sharing frustration, one user wrote, "Been an hour since I watched the UK premiere of #ThugLife. Poorly written, lack of character depth aplenty, no emotional connect with any of the titular roles, music in the movie was mehh. Should’ve just stayed at home and slept." Giving a negative reaction, a fan wrote, "No emotions, no proper writing for revenge and betray setup, only music and 2 action blocks were good." Another user wrote, "Major disappointment! Couldn’t even sit through the whole film." Another review can be read as:

"An emotionless, outdated gangster drama made worse by a forgettable soundtrack."

Netizens’ mixed reactions to Thug Life

Amid the negative reviews, there were some reviews that gave mixed reactions to Mani Ratnam’s Thug Life. Giving a mixed reaction, one 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." Another user wrote, "Just in awe of KH’s acting throughout the movie and STR has delivered brilliantly too, the young kid’s expressions and the entire cast has delivered!! ARR’s music is a huge strength, but in some portions it felt a bit off… 2nd half suffers from poor writing!"

Thug Life’s first-day box office collection

According to a report by Sacnilk, Thug Life’s first-day box office collection is Rs. 4.25 crore. As of 2 pm on May 5, 2025, the film’s advance booking gross, including block seats, could reach Rs. 13.89 crore. As per a report by The Times of India, the film’s estimated budget is over Rs. 200 crore.

Did you like watching Thug Life, starring Kamal Haasan? Let us know.

Also Read: Prabhas Slashes His Fee By Rs. 50 Cr For 'The Raja Saab', After The Tepid Response To 'Adipurush'

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