Thug Life, the much-awaited gangster action drama marking the reunion of kamal haasan and mani ratnam after over three decades, is set for release this Thursday. The film, also starring simbu in a pivotal role, carries massive expectations due to the legacy and creative prowess of its lead actor and director. However, the film has found itself in the middle of controversy following Kamal Haasan’s remarks on the kannada language, which sparked backlash in Karnataka. While this controversy has increased the film's visibility nationwide, it appears not to have translated into strong pre-release traction in certain markets—most notably, in the Telugu-speaking states.

Despite a heavy promotional campaign, including lavish events in vizag and Hyderabad, Thug Life has not generated the kind of buzz typically expected for a kamal haasan starrer in Tollywood. Advance bookings for the telugu dubbed version have been tepid, even in key urban centers like Hyderabad. This lack of enthusiasm has puzzled trade analysts, considering the scale, cast, and musical backing by A.R. Rahman. The underwhelming reception suggests that telugu audiences may not be fully convinced about the film’s appeal or are perhaps waiting for word-of-mouth after the release. This puts enormous pressure on the film's opening-day response and public reviews to determine its box office trajectory in the region.

Even tamil Nadu, where kamal haasan enjoys a devoted fan base, is seeing slower-than-expected booking trends. This is surprising, especially given the star power of Kamal and the directorial finesse of Mani Ratnam. However, the situation appears to be the opposite overseas. international markets, particularly in the U.S. and the gulf countries, have shown promising momentum, likely driven by the diaspora’s anticipation of this legendary collaboration. With a stellar supporting cast including Trisha, Abhirami, Nassar, Joju George, and ashok Selvan, Thug Life still has the ingredients for success. But with domestic skepticism creeping in, the film’s fate could hinge on audience reception post-release.
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Thug Life

G GOWTHAM

04/06/2025 10:53 AM