The long-awaited gangster action film Thug Life, starring Kamal Haasan and directed by Mani Ratnam, has made a thunderous beginning in the overseas market. According to the latest reports, the USA premiere advance booking sales have reached $453,154 from 375 sites, 1,003 shows, and 17,138 tickets booked. With overall North America bookings now reaching $545K, the film is marching confidently towards a $700K–$800K premiere day.
This lays the ground for Thug Life to be Kamal Haasan’s second-largest premiere day in the USA, after the legacy of his previous blockbusters. The numbers do not only reflect a humongous fan base but also the excitement around the reunion of Kamal Haasan and Mani Ratnam, almost four decades since their legendary combo in Nayakan.
Reunion of Legends: Haasan and Ratnam
Thug Life created huge buzz from the time of its announcement as Kamal Haasan 234 in November 2022. The movie is the union of two giants—Kamal Haasan and Mani Ratnam, who last collaborated on the cult classic Nayakan (1987), a movie widely referred to as one of the greatest Indian films ever made.
Now, in 2025, they are back with a tale of crime, redemption, rebellion, and power. Thug Life will be more than a film—it’s an event movie.
Star-Studded Cast and Massive Scale
The movie has a star-studded cast including Silambarasan, Trisha Krishnan, Abhirami, Aishwarya Lekshmi, Ashok Selvan, Joju George, Nassar, Ali Fazal, Rohit Saraf, and Baburaj. The blending of Tamil talent with pan-Indian stars has opened up the film to wider audiences, with the result that it enjoys a distinctly national appeal.
Produced by Raaj Kamal Films International, Madras Talkies, and Red Giant Movies, the film’s production spanned diverse locations—from the streets of Chennai to the alleys of Delhi and the coastal charm of Pondicherry.
Technically Brilliant
With A.R. Rahman handling the music, the film’s soundtrack is already drawing attention. His haunting background scores and immersive sound design are expected to elevate the emotional gravitas of the gangster drama.
Ravi K. Chandran’s cinematography and A. Sreekar Prasad’s editing make Thug Life not just engaging on a narrative level but also visually appealing. The movie is to be released in standard, IMAX, and EPIQ formats, further making it a cinematic experience.
What Makes Thug Life Special?
Shooting in the dark, gritty universe of organized crime, Thug Life tracks a hero conditioned by violence and revenge. Official plot details are a closely kept secret, but sources indicate that the movie will delve deep into existential philosophical concepts of power, justice, and identity, bundled in an intense gangster drama.
It’s not merely a reunion of an iconic pair—it’s a bold, immersive universe Mani Ratnam and Kamal Haasan are creating for a new audience.
Its title teaser, showcasing rugged Kamal with the “Rise of a Rebel” tagline, went viral in a matter of hours and reignited the cultural relevance the actor-director duo can achieve.
North America Premiere Sales: A Closer Look
- USA Advance Sales: $453,154
- Locations: 375
- Shows: 1,003
- Tickets Sold: 17,138
- Total North America Premiere Sales: $545,000
- Projected Premiere Day Collection: $700K–$800K
All this momentum makes it one of Kamal Haasan’s highest US opening days, and pushes Thug Life into strong contention as one of the largest Tamil movie premieres in North America this year.
Trade Buzz and Fans
Social networking sites are full of fanfare celebrations, with hashtags #ThugLifePremiere, #KamalHaasan234, and #ManiRatnamReturns being the top trends on Twitter as well as Instagram. Trade analysts are speculating that the robust advance booking in North America can be replicated in India also, particularly with the film to hit screens on June 5, 2025, a strategic summer slot.
The buzz of premiere bookings has now translated to Indian markets as well, with advance booking about to open soon, and demand already visible in metros.
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Final Thoughts
Thug Life is not another Tamil film—it’s a landmark moment in Indian cinema where legacy, art, and contemporary storytelling converge. With a record-setting USA premiere, the world now awaits a global phenomenon.
As Kamal Haasan comes back to a form he once pioneered, and Mani Ratnam builds another cinematic universe, all eyes are on June 5 now. From box office observers to moviegoers, the countdown has started.
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