PS 1, PS 2, and Now Thug Life – Mani Ratnam Needs a Break

RATING – ⭐ ⭐ 2/5*

Thug Life Review Movie Talkies:

Mani Ratnam is one of the finest Tamil filmmakers of his generation, and my hands are trembling as I type this: “Dear Ratnam sir, you need a break. Or I desperately want the old Ratnam sir back.” I couldn’t sit through PS 1 and PS 2, which robbed me of nearly 6 hours of my life—and now comes Thug Life, adding another 3. That’s 9 hours in Mani Ratnam’s world, and instead of three classics—or even three good films—I got three tedious, uninspired duds. Thug Life feels incredibly predictable and outdated, as if it predates even Nayakan (1987), despite being released in 2025. It’s understandable if a legend like Kamal Haasan slips with a film like Indian 2, but back-to-back misfires? That’s disappointing—especially because we all know what Kamal sir is truly capable of. Watching such immense talent being wasted on uninspiring scripts is painful (Kalki doesn’t count here, as he wasn’t the lead).

Thug Life Story:

The story follows gangster Sakthivel (Kamal Haasan), who becomes involved in a violent shootout that accidentally kills a newspaper man. Sakthivel then adopts the deceased man’s son, Amar (Silambarasan TR), raising him as his own. Years later, Amar is ready to take over the business while Sakthivel lands in jail. Things get complicated: Sakthivel is married to Jeeva (Abhirami), but has a mistress, Chandra (Trisha), whom Amar secretly desires. However, Chandra is in love only with Sakthivel. When a dark secret from the past emerges, Amar’s relationship with Sakthivel faces turmoil, and everything turns upside down. Can Sakthivel make a comeback?

Mani Ratnam and Kamal Haasan deliver a script that feels like a relic, lacking any fresh or compelling elements to sustain a 160-minute runtime. It’s not just long—it’s exhausting. The film tries to juggle too much: Sakthivel’s two women, Amar’s inner conflict, his unreciprocated love, Mahesh Manjrekar and Ali Fazal’s villainy—but none of it lands. Instead, it spirals into a mess of moral ambiguity, unconvincing relationships, and disjointed storytelling. Characters like Chandra, Mahesh Manjrekar’s villain, and Ali Fazal’s role feel utterly pointless, as if inserted just to pad the plot. By the end, you’re left wondering—did Mani Ratnam really make this?

Stolen Review: Sensitive Topic, Clumsy Treatment

Thug Life Cast:

Kamal Haasan headlines the film, but unlike Vikram, his character lacks depth. While he has a few strong scenes showcasing his screen presence, much of his role feels underwhelming. Silambarasan (STR) is elevated to Kamal’s level, but that balance doesn’t feel earned. STR starts strong with a flashy entry and holds the first half well, but his character fizzles out in the latter half. Trisha is entirely wasted—one wonders why she even agreed to this role. Out of loyalty to Mani sir, perhaps? The same goes for Abhirami, Nassar, and Joju George—all talented actors, grossly underutilized. Aishwarya Lekshmi shows up in the final stretch with no real purpose, while supporting players like Ali Fazal, Ashok Selvan, Mahesh Manjrekar, Tanikella Bharani, and Baburaj simply go through the motions.

Thug Life Movie Review:

The film seems to have a solid budget. The production design and cinematography suggest significant investment, and visually, the film occasionally impresses. However, the music—barring Jinguchaa—is underwhelming. Even AR Rahman seems off his game. He, too, might need to reconnect with his older self—and maybe take Mani Ratnam along for the ride. Prasad’s editing is clumsy and sluggish. There’s a visible lack of grip on narrative flow, and at several points, the urge to walk out becomes real. The action sequences, though flashy and stylized, often feel artificial, but they do manage to entertain in bits. It’s clear Mani Ratnam is struggling to align with today’s cinematic rhythm. The man who gave us timeless masterpieces seems adrift in an era where his voice once reigned supreme. That said, one or two failures won’t dent his legendary status. We can only hope this is a temporary slump—and that the genius of Mani Ratnam finds its footing again. For now, Thug Life is another misstep in a phase best left behind.

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