Thug Life Movie: curtain-raiser is among the most awaited Tamil films set to release in 2025. Made by the renowned Mani Ratnam and starring Kamal Haasan, the film is a reunion of the two biggest stars after 36 years. Even now, Nayakan (1987), their last team-up, is regarded as a classic. The character-rich ensemble, fast-paced story and top-quality production is sparking huge interest for Thug Life across India and from South Indian movie lovers worldwide.
Here’s everything you need to know before watching Thug Life in theatres.
Thug Life Release Date
Thug Life is scheduled to come out in theatres on June 5, 2025. People are looking forward to the movie because it combines incredible action, strong emotions and impressive acting.
Thug Life Movie Cast and Characters
Lots of talented stars, both well-known and fresh names, appear in this thrilling movie. These are the confirmed members of the cast:
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Kamal Haasan as Sakthivel (Lead Role)
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Silambarasan TR (STR) as Amaran
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Nassar as Manickam
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Trisha Krishnan
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Aishwarya Lekshmi
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Abhirami
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Ashok Selvan
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Joju George
Kamal Haasan leads the pack in an intense role, while STR plays a complex character pivotal to the film’s emotional core.
Thug Life Director: Mani Ratnam Returns
The fact that Mani Ratnam has returned with Kamal Haasan has caused a lot of buzz. Ratnam’s films, for example Roja, Bombay, Dil Se and Ponniyin Selvan, are notable for their vivid appearance, many layers and finely developed characters.
Thug Life Storyline: Blood, Betrayal, and Brotherhood
Thug Life, placed against the background of the South Indian underworld, tells how Sakthivel becomes one of the most feared gangsters and his close sibling relationship with Manickam. While being involved in a fierce police battle, they save and adopt a young orphan, whom they call Amaran.
Amaran grows up to become independent and strong over the years. The connection within the family weakens after someone tries to kill Sakthivel. Surprisingly, Sakthivel starts to think that the betrayal could have been done by his brother or adopted son.
Following is an action-packed story about revenge, relationships and loyalty, as a father figure finds himself in conflict with his former protected ones.
Thug Life Trailer: A Glimpse into the Gritty World
The trailer of Thug Life received a thunderous response upon release. It features:
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Intense action sequences
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Dark-toned visuals
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Emotional confrontations
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STR in a completely new avatar
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Kamal Haasan’s powerful monologues
The trailer clearly hints at a mafia drama mixed with family emotions, crafted with Mani Ratnam’s signature style.
CBFC Certification and Runtime
Thug Life was certified by the CBFC (Central Board of Film Certification) on May 19, 2025.
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Rating: UA 16+
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Runtime: 165.42 minutes (Approx. 2 hours 45 minutes)
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Censorship Info: Two minor curse words were muted, but no major cuts were made.
The UA 16+ rating allows teens above 16 to watch the film, though parental guidance is recommended.
Thug Life OTT Release: When and Where to Watch Online?
After its theatrical run, Thug Life will stream on Netflix in multiple Indian languages:
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Tamil
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Telugu
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Malayalam
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Kannada
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Hindi
Netflix confirmed the announcement on X (formerly Twitter):
“The Vinveli Naayagan is back—and how?! Thug Life is coming to Netflix in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, and Hindi after its theatrical release!”
🔔 Note: While most movies hit OTT platforms 4 weeks after their theatrical release, Thug Life will be available on Netflix only after 8 weeks. That means you can expect the digital premiere by end of July or early August 2025.
What Trisha Krishnan Said About Working on Thug Life
Actress Trisha Krishnan, who reunites with Mani Ratnam, shared her experience:
“Shooting time is actually very jolly because he (Mani Ratnam) rehearses a lot. He walks you through everything, and by the time you come on set, it’s a breeze.”
She added that both Mani Ratnam and Kamal Haasan believe in intense preparation, which makes the execution on set effortless.
“There’s a certain confidence I have. I never have to wonder what to do. He already told me 2–3 months back.”
https://youtu.be/96kAbj3IF3k?si=kLB2rrLklryM_IWH
This behind-the-scenes insight proves why Mani Ratnam’s films feel so immersive — everything is finely tuned.
Thug Life Producers and Production Houses
The film is backed by some of the biggest production houses in Tamil cinema:
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Raaj Kamal Films International
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Madras Talkies
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Red Giant Movies
These studios ensure top-tier cinematography, music, and visual effects.
Music and Technical Aspects
Although not officially confirmed, it is expected that A.R. Rahman may have composed the music for Thug Life, continuing his long-term collaboration with Mani Ratnam.
Cinematography, editing, and production design have been done on an epic scale, aiming to provide a pan-India cinematic experience.
Quick Summary: Thug Life Movie Overview
Feature | Details |
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Movie Title | Thug Life |
Language | Tamil (Dubbed in Telugu, Hindi, etc.) |
Genre | Action Drama |
Release Date | June 5, 2025 |
Director | Mani Ratnam |
Lead Actor | Kamal Haasan |
Supporting Cast | STR, Trisha, Nassar, Aishwarya Lekshmi |
CBFC Certificate | UA 16+ |
Runtime | 165.42 minutes |
OTT Platform | Netflix |
OTT Release | 8 weeks post-theatrical run |
Final Verdict: Why Thug Life is a Must-Watch
You should watch Thug Life if you are very passionate about Kamal Haasan, Mani Ratnam or powerful tales of mafia families. It mixes intense action scenes with moving tales and the acting from Kamal Haasan and STR is very strong.
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It’s not just an action film; it also includes themes of love, betrayal and vengeance.
Don’t miss Thug Life in theatres on June 5, 2025, and stay tuned for its OTT premiere on Netflix.
Reference: Thug_Life_(2025_film)