The much-awaited collaboration between Kamal Haasan and director Mani Ratnam, titled Thug Life, is steadily picking up steam ahead of its release. After last year’s Indian 2 received mixed reviews, Kamal has quickly moved on with a promising lineup that includes Indian 3, Kalki 2, and now Thug Life. Touted as a gangster drama, the film is being mounted on a grand scale, with shooting spanning across exotic locations like Chennai, Delhi, Russia, and Puducherry.
The much-hyped first single “Jingucha,” composed by AR Rahman, has been unveiled by the makers following a press meet on April 18, 2025. The foot-tapping number has instantly struck a chord with fans and music lovers alike. With pulsating beats, catchy lyrics, and electrifying visuals, the song sets the perfect vibe for Thug Life and features Kamal Haasan and Silambarasan in a colorful way. It has already gone viral on social media, signaling a strong musical start to the film’s campaign. Kamal Haasan has penned the lyrics for 'Jinguchaa', while the wedding song is crooned by Vaishali Samant, Shakthisree Gopalan & Adithya RK.
The ensemble cast of Thug Life has only amplified the buzz around it. Apart from Kamal Haasan, the film features celebrated actors like Silambarasan, Nassar, Joju George, Ashok Selvan, and Aishwarya Lekshmi. This rich mix of talent, coupled with Mani Ratnam’s direction, has led to soaring expectations among cinephiles. The film promises an intense narrative woven around crime, loyalty, and power, with Kamal in a rugged and stylish new avatar.
Scheduled for a grand release on June 5, Thug Life is slated for a pan-Indian release in Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, Malayalam, and Kannada languages simultaneously. The makers have planned to have a strong promotional campaign for the film by visiting locations across India, positioning it right to break box office records.
The first single from Thug Life, 'Jinguchaa', has been released online, featuring Sanya Malhotra singing and dancing with Silambarasan TR. Vaishali Samant, Shakthisree Gopalan, and Adithya RK have provided vocals for the song, for which the lyrics are written by Kamal Haasan. The lyrical video, set against a wedding backdrop, features almost the entire cast, with Lubber Pandhu fame Sanjana Krishnamoorthy as the bride. The video also hints that Kamal Haasan and Abirami play Sanjana’s parents. Meanwhile, the song is graced by Sanya Malhotra’s energetic dance moves.
Helmed by Mani Ratnam, Thug Life marks Kamal Haasan's second collaboration with the filmmaker, 37 years after the classic Nayagan. In the film, the actor plays a gangster from Kayalpattinam named Rangaraya Sakthivel Nayakar. Apart from Kamal Haasan, Thug Life also features Silambarasan TR (STR), Ali Fazal, Trisha Krishnan, Ashok Selvan, Nassar, Aishwarya Lekshmi, and Vaiyapuri in key roles. Jointly produced by Madras Talkies, Raaj Kamal Films International, and Red Giant Movies, the film has Ravi K Chandran as its cinematographer, with editing handled by Sreekar Prasad.
Filming of Thug Life kicked off in January 2024 and has spanned diverse locations such as Chennai, New Delhi, Pondicherry, and Kanchipuram, with international shoots in Serbia and other parts of Europe. The film’s official title was revealed in November 2023. Production faced some delays due to Haasan’s political engagements and an on-set injury to Joju George, but principal photography wrapped by late 2024. The makers also dropped a teaser featuring Silambarasan in May of last year.
Thug Life is set to hit screens worldwide on June 5, 2025. With a star-studded cast, an acclaimed director, and a chart-topping first single, the film is poised to be one of the biggest releases of the year. Fans are eagerly awaiting what promises to be an exhilarating cinematic experience.
