Thug Life is a high-octane gangster drama that centers around Shaktivel (Kamal Haasan), a man caught in a world of betrayal, revenge, and bloodshed. Set in the heart of Delhi in 1994, the story follows Shaktivel, a gangster who runs a ruthless operation initially set up by his brother Manickam (Nassar). Their criminal empire is rocked when they are attacked by the police during a confrontation in Chandni Chowk. In the chaos of gunfire, an innocent newspaper vendor is killed. Shaktivel, driven by a sense of responsibility, decides to take in the vendor’s young son, Amar. The boy grows up with the weight of loss on his shoulders, unaware that his sister, Chanda, is also missing since that tragic day. Shaktivel makes a promise to Amar to find her, a promise that sets the stage for a rollercoaster of events that span decades.
Fast forward 22 years, and it’s now 2016. Amar (Silambarasan TR) has grown into a strong and loyal right-hand man to Shaktivel. But in a world where loyalty is as fleeting as life itself, the tension between the two brothers, Shaktivel and Manickam, is simmering. Manickam, feeling overlooked and underappreciated, harbors deep jealousy towards Amar. This rivalry takes a tragic turn when Manickam’s own daughter, overwhelmed by shame and heartbreak after her boyfriend, Ranvijay (Rohit Saraf), abandons her, takes her own life. Ranvijay is not just a lover turned villain; he’s also the nephew of Sadanand (Mahesh Manjrekar), an old nemesis of Shaktivel.
In his grief and anger, Shaktivel sets out to settle the score by killing Ranvijay. This act of vengeance stirs the pot of enmity between Shaktivel and Sadanand, which ultimately leads to Shaktivel’s arrest. Now, the plot thickens as Amar steps up to take charge of the gang. But what seems like a temporary shift in power quickly spirals into dangerous territory. Amar, in an attempt to stop the bloodshed, makes an unexpected alliance with Sadanand, despite Shaktivel’s reservations.
However, not everyone is on board with the truce. Ranvijay’s brother (Ali Fazal) refuses to let the past die. He takes matters into his own hands, attacking Shaktivel in a violent showdown. Though Shaktivel manages to survive the assault, the conflict doesn’t end there. The real twists begin as the tangled web of betrayal, greed, and blood runs deeper, leading to a brutal confrontation where Amar, Manickam, and other gang members plot to take down Shaktivel once and for all.
What follows in Thug Life is a gripping, yet somewhat uneven, narrative about the consequences of loyalty, the hunger for power, and the constant battle between family ties and personal ambition.
A Closer Look at the Story and Execution
The concept of Thug Life is undoubtedly intriguing. With its promise of a gripping gangster drama, the film offers plenty of potential for an intense, emotionally charged experience. At its core, the film has elements of a classic revenge saga, filled with twists, dark secrets, and characters with motives that constantly shift like quicksand.
However, the execution falters at crucial points. The story’s promise, especially in the first half, gives off strong hints of a gritty, realistic portrayal of gangland politics and the sense of doom that surrounds characters caught in this deadly game. But the film soon takes a turn for the worse, with some moments that defy logic, leaving viewers scratching their heads. For instance, there’s a sequence where a character survives multiple gunshots and an incredible fall from a great height, only to walk for miles afterward and somehow end up in an avalanche – and of course, still survives. This particular track feels out of place, almost as if the movie, which starts with a grounded tone, suddenly abandons any semblance of realism.
While action-packed moments like these add flair to the film, they also make it hard to take the narrative seriously. Thug Life is often guilty of stretching the limits of believability, especially post-intermission, where the pace slackens and the storyline becomes a series of disconnected events. It’s clear that the director had grand ambitions for the story, but at times, it feels like those ambitions clash with the film’s sense of coherence.
Mani Ratnam and Kamal Haasan, both known for their distinct cinematic voices, offer moments of brilliance but also fall victim to the trappings of a formulaic script. The dialogues are decent, with a few one-liners that land well, but they don’t carry the weight or impact one would expect from a film of this nature. The film attempts to blend action, drama, and tragedy, but the transitions between these genres don’t always feel seamless, and this results in a film that leaves you wanting more from a narrative perspective.
The Direction and Cinematic Choices
Mani Ratnam, whose previous works are revered for their depth and storytelling finesse, doesn’t entirely disappoint here. His direction keeps the viewers engaged, especially in the last hour of the movie, where the tension peaks and the stakes feel higher. A standout sequence occurs in Goa before and after a bomb explosion – a scene that manages to hold onto some of that old Mani Ratnam magic. The climax, though a bit unimaginative in comparison, still carries the weight of the previous events, keeping viewers hooked despite its predictability.
The film’s opening is stylish and bold, with the use of black-and-white cinematography setting an intriguing tone. It hints at something bigger, a story that demands your attention. Unfortunately, as the film progresses, the direction becomes less cohesive. The post-intermission section lacks the polish that one would expect from a filmmaker of Ratnam’s stature.
Performances: The Heart of the Film
If there’s one thing Thug Life has in abundance, it’s stellar performances. Kamal Haasan, as always, brings depth and gravitas to his role. His portrayal of Shaktivel, a man caught between the loyalty of his family and the weight of his violent past, is exceptional. Kamal delivers both the action and the emotional drama with equal finesse, making the film’s flawed narrative more watchable than it otherwise would be.
Silambarasan TR, who plays Amar, the young, conflicted right-hand man, also delivers a strong performance. He manages to portray the internal struggle of a man who is forced to make difficult decisions, all while walking a fine line between loyalty and self-preservation. The chemistry between Kamal Haasan and Silambarasan is one of the film’s highlights, as the two characters’ relationship drives the plot forward.
Trisha Krishnan, despite her limited screen time, impresses in her role as Indrani. She looks stunning and manages to make a mark, even with minimal dialogue. Abhirami’s portrayal of Jeeva is another standout, especially in the beach scene in the latter half of the film, where her performance takes center stage.
Nassar, always dependable, is solid in his role as Manickam, the jealous brother. Ali Fazal, though his screen time is brief, adds some intrigue to his character, especially since his role mirrors his previous work in Mirzapur. Aishwarya Lekshmi, in her cameo as Anna, makes a strong impression, despite her brief appearance.
Music and Technical Aspects
Music plays an essential role in Thug Life, but here, A.R. Rahman’s score doesn’t quite hit the high notes you might expect. Tracks like ‘Jinguchaa’ and ‘Sugar Baby’ stand out, but the overall musical experience is not as memorable as his previous collaborations with the film’s cast and crew. Rahman’s background score, though exhilarating at times, feels jarring in a few scenes, where it seems to emerge from nowhere, disrupting the flow of the narrative.
Visually, Thug Life is a treat, thanks to Ravi K Chandran’s cinematography. The framing and lighting choices elevate some of the film’s darker, more intense moments. The action sequences, choreographed by Anbariv, are entertaining and stylish but tend to go overboard in terms of violence, which, while thrilling, sometimes feels excessive. The production design by Sharmishta Roy feels grounded and realistic, and the costumes by Eka Lakhani are authentically Indian, bringing a sense of believability to the film’s setting.
Make-up plays a significant role in enhancing Kamal Haasan’s transformation into his character, and Akihito Ikeda’s work on that front deserves special mention. Editing by A. Sreekar Prasad is functional but doesn’t do much to mask the film’s pacing issues.
Conclusion: A Film With Great Potential But Weak Execution
Thug Life could have been a game-changer in the gangster drama genre, but it falls short due to weak execution and a messy post-intermission narrative. Despite its flaws, the film manages to hold onto the viewer’s attention, thanks to its stellar performances, stylish direction, and an engaging first half. However, as the story progresses, it loses its edge, leaving the audience with a sense of unfulfilled potential.
Ultimately, the film fails to make a lasting impact, particularly in its Hindi version, which faces stiff competition from Housefull 5. Despite the star power and the strong premise, Thug Life will likely struggle to find a substantial audience, making it a missed opportunity for both Mani Ratnam and Kamal Haasan to deliver something truly memorable.
In the end, Thug Life serves as a reminder that while star power and a great concept can draw audiences in, it’s the execution that makes a film stand out. Unfortunately, in this case, Thug Life just doesn’t quite make the cut.
