Thug Life Movie Review: Why Kamal Haasan and Mani Ratnam’s Epic Adventure Will Keep You on the Edge of Your Seat

Thug Life Movie Review & Rating: “You either die a hero or live long enough to see yourself become the villain,” is a famous quote from *The Dark Knight*. It captures the essence of power and morality. Unfortunately, this lesson seems lost in *Thug Life*, directed by Mani Ratnam. This film, starring Kamal Haasan, may be one of Ratnam’s weakest projects. While it has stunning visuals and captivating long shots, these save it from feeling like just another overambitious crime drama.

The story begins with Rangaraya Sakthivel’s (Kamal Haasan) connection to death from his birth. We flash back to 1994 in Old Delhi, where Sakthivel, a rising gangster, faces betrayal from his mentor, Sadanand (Mahesh Manjrekar). After a chaotic shootout, Sakthivel adopts a young boy, Amaran, orphaned in the crossfire. This bond becomes central as the story moves to 2016, where Amaran (Silambarasan) has risen as Sakthivel’s loyal right-hand man.

When Sakthivel is imprisoned, he entrusts his empire and family to Amaran. However, underlying tensions simmer among gang members, leading to a power struggle. This battle for dominance drives the plot, echoing themes of ambition and loyalty found in ancient tales and contemporary stories alike.

While the film explores rich themes, it’s hindered by lackluster writing. Characters fail to leave a mark due to weak development. Sakthivel is portrayed as a complex thug with a soft side, yet the film never lets us connect with him. The same can be said for Amaran, whose emotional journey lacks depth. Instead, we witness disjointed moments that can make the film hard to follow.

Interestingly, *Thug Life* touches on themes of caste identity, a significant issue in India. There’s a scene where Sakthivel’s daughter expresses concern over her father’s approval of her relationship due to caste differences. This moment could have been expanded, but the film misses the opportunity.

In terms of performance, Kamal Haasan’s portrayal feels out of sync with the rest of the cast. While he tries to bring intensity, it sometimes contrasts with the film’s tone. The supporting actors aim to match the mood but are also let down by the script.

The cinematography by Ravi K. Chandran shines, beautifully capturing the culture of the setting. However, the film suffers from a confused narrative and background score, which is often jarring and out of place, distracting from key moments. AR Rahman’s music, while usually captivating, feels off the mark here, detracting rather than enhancing the film experience.

In summary, *Thug Life* offers moments of intrigue but ultimately feels like a missed opportunity. It’s a struggle to remain engaged with characters that lack development and a narrative that feels scattered. The film illustrates how ambition can lead to moral grey areas, yet it doesn’t effectively convey this message. For all its visual splendor, it leaves viewers wanting more substance.

Thug Life Movie Cast: Kamal Haasan, Silambarasan TR, Trisha Krishnan, Aishwarya Lekshmi, Ashok Selvan, Abhirami, Joju George.

Director: Mani Ratnam

Rating: 1.5 stars

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