Renowned filmmaker Mani Ratnam, known for his nuanced storytelling and rich cinematic vocabulary, returns with the much-anticipated Thug Life — a film that stars Kamal Haasan, Simbu, Trisha, and music by AR Rahman. Expectations were understandably high, given the star-studded cast and the director’s reputation. However, what unfolds on screen is a visually rich but emotionally hollow gangster drama that struggles to hold its ground, especially in the latter half.
A Promising Start
Thug Life opens with style and promise. The initial portions set the tone with an intriguing plot and a gritty, almost poetic look into the underworld. The drama during the first half occasionally grips you. The cinematography is breathtaking — every frame is meticulously composed, and the production design elevates the mood and setting of the film. Kamal Haasan’s presence brings gravitas, and Simbu surprises with subtlety. Trisha seems assured, but the script doesn’t give her much to play with.
Early on, it seems as if Mani Ratnam may have made a complicated crime epic. The deliberate pacing story feels designed to boil over into a blowout second half. The betrayal, revenge, and loyalty themes of the criminal world are established sensibly, if a bit predictably.
But this spark is allowed to die down very rapidly.
A Disappointing Second Half
Post-interval, Thug Life slides into familiar, uninspiring territory. The story — which promised to be complicated — becomes linear and stagnant. The draggy pacing that was once deliberate now becomes tiring. People wait for a dramatic turn, an emotional payoff, or a twist of events — none of these ever come to pass.
The emotions don’t quite hit, and major characters are underdeveloped. Trisha, even though she is shown on-screen, is more or less a prop. Her story goes nowhere, contributing to the movie’s growing list of wasted potential. Simbu is also short-changed by the script, his character not having much of a journey. Kamal Haasan, while consistently good, is not given enough material to make the movie his on his own shoulders.
Music: A Missed Opportunity
The biggest disappointment may be AR Rahman’s music — an aspect that typically characterizes Mani Ratnam’s films. In Thug Life, the soundtrack is unnatural and disconnected. The songs do not add to the mood or to the story. Rather, they further drag the pace and act like add-ons.
Rahman has given some of Indian cinema’s best scores, particularly in Mani Ratnam films. Sadly, Thug Life won’t be included among them. With music that fails to deliver an impact, the scenes that could have been emotionally galvanizing turn out to be lackluster.
Performances and Technical Brilliance
If anything, there is one thing Thug Life still excels at, and that’s technical polish and performances. World-class production values mark the film, and cinematography by Ravi Varman particularly deserves a mention. Lighting, set design, and the way the camera moves all shout “big screen experience.”
Kamal Haasan, as expected, gives a masterly performance. Even in those moments where the script is weak, his eyes convey everything. Simbu plays his role with unexpected restraint and maturity. Trisha, even with the weak writing of her character, carries herself with poise and confidence.
Supporting cast makes an earnest effort, but their plots are still too half-baked to make an impression.
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Verdict: A Film That Leaves You Wanting More
Thug Life is the ultimate style over substance example. The first half generates anticipation based on its compelling premise and aesthetic flair, but the second half founders because of its own lack of ambition — or at least that’s how it feels.
The writing is emotionally shallow and narratively stale. AR Rahman’s music is a rare fail. And though the cast is good, they are ultimately let down by a poor script. Mani Ratnam gives us glimpses of brilliance — particularly in the way he establishes the world — but can’t bring it to a satisfying conclusion.
The effect is a movie that appears stunning but lacks substance. It’s a gangster film that could have been excellent but turns out to be forgettable.
Rating: 2/5
Final Thoughts
Thug Life had everything it took to be a cinematic success — a brilliant director, a cinematic icon, a new young leading man, a world-famous composer, and a stylistically appealing premise. But somewhere along the way, amidst all the flair and hoopla, the heart of the movie was lost. It’s one that starts off promising but ends up a disappointment — a ride that’s enjoyable at times but disappointing overall.
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