Kamal Haasan and Mani Ratnam Reunite After 37 Years for ‘Thug Life’—A Pan-Indian Gangster Epic

Set for a global theatrical release on June 5, 2025, ‘Thug Life’ boasts a star-studded cast and has already secured record-breaking digital and satellite deals, underscoring its status as one of the most anticipated films of the year.

After a 37-year hiatus since their iconic collaboration on ‘Nayakan’ (1987), legendary actor Kamal Haasan and acclaimed director Mani Ratnam have joined forces once again for the upcoming gangster action drama ‘Thug Life’. Scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release on June 5, 2025, the film has already generated significant buzz with its teaser, which showcases Haasan in dual avatars and hints at an intense narrative.

‘Thug Life’ features a stellar ensemble cast, including Silambarasan TR, Trisha Krishnan, Sanya Malhotra, Abhirami, Ashok Selvan, Aishwarya Lekshmi, Joju George, Nassar, Ali Fazal, Pankaj Tripathi, Rohit Saraf, and Vaiyapuri. The film’s music is composed by the Oscar-winning A.R. Rahman, with cinematography by Ravi K. Chandran and editing by A. Sreekar Prasad.

In a testament to its high anticipation, Netflix acquired the digital streaming rights for ‘Thug Life’ across multiple languages for a record-breaking ₹149.7 crore, marking one of the largest deals in Tamil cinema. Additionally, the film’s satellite rights were sold for ₹60 crore, ensuring that the producers have recouped their investments ahead of the release.

The film is co-produced by Kamal Haasan’s Raaj Kamal Films International, Mani Ratnam’s Madras Talkies, and Udhayanidhi Stalin’s Red Giant Movies. Despite the postponement of its audio launch due to rising tensions between India and Pakistan, ‘Thug Life’ remains one of the most eagerly awaited films of 2025.

Fans can look forward to experiencing this cinematic spectacle in theaters on June 5, 2025, with an expected digital release on Netflix by early July.