Mumbai: Cinematic power reigned supreme in Delhi as Indian cinema heavyweights Kamal Haasan and Mani Ratnam along with actress Abhirami and producer Shiva Ananth descended on the capital for an unforgettable press conference that shook the very foundations of movie fans. The occasion was the grand Delhi showcase of the trailer of Thug Life, Kamal Haasan and Mani Ratnam’s blazing gangster epic that is breaking the internet.
When the trailer of Thug Life was screened on the giant LED screen, the movie heavyweights gave a rousing applause that got the crowd to roar with cheers. Powerful, intense and packed with cinematic brilliance, the trailer confirmed fans’ long-held speculation – Thug Life is here to make history.
Making a comeback to the underworld genre after decades, Kamal Haasan was introduced in the trailer as Rangaraya Sakthivel Nayakar – a formidable gangster whose name is reminiscent of legacy and power. Sharing the stage with him was director Mani Ratnam, who was reuniting with Haasan after his iconic 1987 masterpiece Nayakan. The trailer, set amid sweeping shots of arid deserts and frozen landscapes, throbs to A.R. Rahman’s signature music. It promises a sweeping tale of betrayal, vengeance and power struggles, featuring a star-studded cast.
Talking about his collaboration with Kamal Haasan and how different they are on the set, Mani Ratnam said, “Kamal and I are so different that it becomes complementary, and we don’t repeat each other. I think one helps the other, and so it’s easier to work. You can see a scene evolving and getting better right in front of your eyes. I think this being different is a great asset”
Produced by Kamal Haasan’s Raaj Kamal Films International, Mani Ratnam’s Madras Talkies, R Mahendran and Siva Ananth, Thug Life has a stellar ensemble cast. Kamal Haasan leads the film as Rangaraya Sakthivel Nayakar, alongside Silambarasan TR, Trisha Krishnan, Ashok Selvan, Aishwarya Lekshmi, Joju George, Ali Fazal, Sanya Malhotra and Rohit Saraf.
Directed by Mani Ratnam and produced by A.R. Featuring music by Rahman, Thug Life is set to release in cinemas worldwide on June 5, 2025.
(Anil Bedaag)
