The film was officially announced in November 2022 under the tentative title Kamal Haasan 234, as it is Haasan's 234th film as a lead actor, and the official title was revealed a year later. Principal photography commenced from January 2024, where the film was shot across Chennai, Kanchipuram, Pondicherry, New Delhi, and parts of North India. The film has music composed by A. R. Rahman, cinematography handled by Ravi K. Chandran and editing by A. Sreekar Prasad.
Thug Life is scheduled to be released worldwide on 5 June 2025 in theatres.
In late 2002, Kamal Haasan unveiled plans for a film project titled Moo, which he intended to co-direct alongside filmmakers Mani Ratnam and Singeetam Srinivasa Rao. The screenplay was to explore the intricacies of the Rashomon effect, presenting audiences with three distinct interpretations of a single incident. However, Ratnam opted out of the project, citing his commitments to Aayutha Ezhuthu (2004), which used a similar narrative device. Undeterred by Ratnam's departure, Haasan proceeded with the concept, resulting in the creation of Virumaandi (2004). This film, centred on the interrogation of two prison inmates, retained the thematic essence of Moo.[1] Following a decade, in late 2012, Hollywood producer Barrie M. Osborne had approached to make Moo into an English film. The actor announced the project in February 2013, but it was later shelved.[2]
Haasan, who did a voice-over for Ponniyin Selvan: I in 2022, announced on 6 November that he would work with Ratnam again for a project after the Ponniyin Selvan film series.[3] The project was funded by their and Udhayanidhi Stalin's companies, Raaj Kamal Films International, Madras Talkies and Red Giant Movies, which also co-produced Haasan's Indian 2 (2024).[4][5]Tentatively titledKamal Haasan 234, it marks a full-fledged reunion of the actor and director after 35 years since the release of their cult film Nayakan (1987).[6] Haasan stated that they were taking time on the development and pre-production because him and Ratnam want to make the film as strong as Nayakan.[7] Stunt choreography duo Anbariv, who involved in the project in October 2023, started that the film would be an action film,[8] with it a few days later being touted as a gangsteraction drama film.[9][10] The film's official title, Thug Life, was announced on 6 November 2023, the eve of Haasan's birthday.[11] It was the first instance where Ratnam's film has been titled in English; his previous ventures were titled in the regional languages.[12]
Pre-production
Ratnam stated that the reason for why it took so long to collaborate, was that they did not find a suitable script for Haasan for years until they recently found one which he co-wrote along with Haasan.[13][14] After Ponniyin Selvan: II released in 2023, Ratnam left to Kodaikanal to write the final script. It took four months for the writing and the pre-production.[15] A muhurat puja was held on 27 October 2023 at the headquarters of Raaj Kamal Films International in Chennai.[16] By then, the team began shooting for the promotional teaser, which was completed within three days.[17][18] The teaser was released on 6 November 2023.[19]
In mid-September 2023, Ravi K. Chandran was announced as cinematographer, marking his fourth film with Ratnam after Kannathil Muthamittal (2002), Aayutha Ezhuthu and Yuva (2004) and second with Haasan after the unfinished film Marudhanayagam.[20]A. R. Rahman would score the music, in his eighteenth consecutive film with the director.[21] He further retained his norm technicians including editor A. Sreekar Prasad, production designer Sharmishta Roy and publicity designer Gopi Prasannaa. Amritha Ram would style Haasan along with his regular costume designers Eka Lakhani and makeup artist Ranjith Ambady.[16][22] Chintu Mohapatra and S. Barani were appointed as the executive producers of the film by the production house.[23]
Casting
Haasan would sport several looks, with one of them resembling his short hairstyle from Sathyaa (1988).[24] The name of his character, Rangaraya Sakthivel Naicker, is a reference to his role as Sakthivel Naicker from Nayakan.[25]Silambarasan was cast in an important role,[26] in his second collaboration with Haasan, as the latter is the producer of STR 48, and second with Ratnam after Chekka Chivantha Vaanam (2018).[27][28]Trisha Krishnan was also cast in an important role, in her third respective collaborations with both Haasan and Ratnam after Manmadan Ambu (2010), Thoongaa Vanam (2015), Aayutha Ezhuthu and the Ponniyin Selvan film series, respectively.[29][30]Abhirami and Nassar were also cast in prominent roles,[31][32] with the former stated that she would be paired opposite Haasan, reuniting with him after Virumaandi.[33]
Jayam Ravi,[34]Dulquer Salmaan,[35]Gautham Karthik,[36]Joju George,[37] and Aishwarya Lekshmi were initially cast to play prominent roles.[38] Dulquer and Ravi were announced on 6 November 2023,[39] while Gautham, Joju and Lekshmi were in late-January 2024.[40][41]Sanya Malhotra would also make her Tamil debut with the film.[42] Dulquer, however, was reported to have opted out in March, due to scheduling conflicts,[43] which was followed by reports of Ravi opting out too.[44] The actors, in addition to Gautham's, departure were confirmed in May when their names were omitted from a post by the production house.[45] Silambarasan was brought onboard to replace Salmaan, while Ashok Selvan was confirmed to have been brought onboard to replace Ravi.[46]Ali Fazal, Pankaj Tripathi and Vaiyapuri were present at the film's preliminary shooting, confirming their presence.[47][48] In June 2024, it was announced that Rohit Saraf joined the film.[49]
Principal photography began with the first schedule on 24 January 2024 at a college in Shenoy Nagar.[50][51] On 30 January, director Sudha Kongara, along with director Bejoy Nambiar, visited the sets and posted stills on X.[52] Haasan filmed a portion with Abhirami and Joju before he left to the United States to participate in the post-production works for Indian 2.[53] Filming for the first schedule completed on 31 January.[54] Ratnam began location scouting for the second schedule in early February in European countries, including Serbia.[55] Trisha revealed through her Instagram account on 21 February that she had joined the sets.[56] Initially, for the third schedule, the makers would travel to Siberia;[57] however, due to Haasan's political commitments and not being able to allot the dates, the schedule was postponed from starting.[58] In late April, Silambarasan and the makers headed to Jaisalmer to film the promotional teaser for the actor, which released on 8 May.[59]
After completing the works there, on 21 April, they commenced the second schedule in New Delhi.[60] A sequence featuring Haasan, Silambarasan and around 200 background artists were reportedly shot behind the Red Fort on 23 April.[61] Both the actors, along with Nassar, Abhirami, Vaiyapuri and Malhotra began filming a portion on 6 May at the Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple,[62] which went on for three hours from 6 am to 9 am, to avoid mid-day summer heat. After completing the filming there, they moved to Old Delhi to shoot a certain indoor sequence.[42] A picture featuring the actors at the temple was leaked on social media the same day,[63] forcing the makers to release an official announcement confirming the casting of Silambarasan two days later.[64] The team shot at Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple, Tughlaqabad Fort and Pataudi Palace in this schedule which was wrapped on 12 May.[65]
The third schedule begun on 21 May at Chennai.[66] During this schedule, a reported love sequence featuring Silambarasan and Trisha was reported to have been filmed till 5 am.[67] Two song sequences, with one reportedly being a dappankuthu featuring Haasan and Silambarasan and another being choreographed by Brindha and featuring Trisha were shot during the schedule, with the latter having a four-day rehearsal.[68][69] In early June, production moved to Pondicherry Airport for an action sequence. On 6 June, Haasan, who took a short break after the song sequence, resumed filming his portions with the action sequence, along with Silambarasan and Ashok Selvan.[70] An incident with Joju occurred when the actor did a stunt, which was jumping from a helicopter, where he tripped and fell, leading to a fractured left foot.[71] The schedule wrapped on 13 June and Ratnam continued his recce in Europe for the concurrent schedule.[72] As of July 2024, fifty percent of the film's shooting had been completed.[73]
Filming resumed on 5 August for the subsequent schedule in Chennai.[73] On 12 August, coinciding with Haasan's sixty-fifth year in the film industry, a behind-the-scenes still from the film featuring Haasan and Ratnam was released through social media.[74][75] Filming took place at multiple phases, with an action sequence featuring Haasan being filmed at the outskirts of Kanchipuram, and Silambarasan's portions at Pondy Bazaar.[76] Afterwards, in early September, an action sequence was filmed at a grand set erected in Kovalam.[77] On 20 September, Haasan had completed filming his portions for the film.[78] Despite principal photography announced as having wrapped on 24 September,[79] on 26 October, Ratnam planned for shooting a romantic song featuring Silambarasan and Trisha across North India which began filming on 4 November.[80][81]
Post-production
On 29 July 2024, Hassan and Silambarasan began dubbing for their portions in the film.[82] Full-fledged post-production works began on 24 September.[83][84]
The songs and background score are composed by A. R. Rahman, in his third collaboration with Haasan after Indian (1996) and Thenali (2000); eighteenth with Ratnam.[85] "Thug Life Theme" is the song that was featured on the 3-minute promotional video, that released on the eve of Haasan's birthday.[14] Another song features lyrics written by the veteran actor.[86] Haasan stated the lyrics were written within an hour, and the song was produced in just a couple of hours.[87]
A 45-second teaser trailer was released on the occasion of Haasan's birthday, 7 November 2024.[88]
Release
Theatrical
Thug Life is scheduled to release theatrically on 5 June 2025.[89] Initially, the producers planned for a theatrical release in the last quarter of 2024,[90] before finalizing the current date.[91]
Distribution
AP International and Home Screen Entertainment acquired the overseas distribution rights of the film.[92]
Home media
The post-theatrical streaming rights were acquired by Netflix for ₹149.7 crore (US$18 million).[93]
Controversy
In May 2024, shortly after Silambarasan's participation in the film was confirmed, producer Ishari K. Ganesh demanded his removal, alleging there was an active "red card" issued by the Tamil Film Producers Council to the actor that prohibits him from accepting new projects.[94] However, Silambarasan denied having received a red card.[95]
