One of the main reasons why Kamal Haasan's upcoming film Thug Life is generating a lot of anticipation among cinephiles that it marks the actor's reunion with director Mani Ratnam after 36 years, since their hit outing, Nayakan.
Speaking about why they didn't collaborate earlier during the press meet of Thug Life, Kamal Haasan said, "The reason we didn’t collaborate all these years was because of us. The reason we are together again — is because of you. When the audience gives their verdict, everyone — producers, distributors — bows."
Elaborating on their friendship and love for cinema, he shared, "Nothing has changed between Mani Ratnam and me. We used to sit on parked motorcycles on Eldams Road, dreaming about cinema. We haven’t fulfilled all of those dreams — maybe just 25 per cent of what we spoke about. Nayakan was one. This film is another. Often, the market forces us to shrink our dreams. Over the years, you’ve held us on your shoulders. We’re sorry, and Thug Life is our peace offering."
He also took some time out to share some memorable moments on the set. "When everyone on set is happy and focused only on the film, you know the team is strong. Mani Ratnam would be on set every morning by 5.30 am — that’s why we call him 'Anjarai Mani Ratnam.' He’s been like that since the beginning. He speaks only about cinema. In that sense, he reminds me a lot of K Balachander sir."
Kamal Haasan also praised his co-stars Simbu and Ashok Selvan. "As for Simbu, he’s the connection between his father and me. His father has shown me immense love, and Simbu shows me even more. In this film, neither of the two lead female actors say 'I love you' — but Joju George screams it every single day! He skips ‘good morning’ and goes straight to that," he laughed and continued, "I used to worry about how to even swallow saliva while delivering lines—but Ashok Selvan radiates quiet confidence. As for AR Rahman, I’d be excited about discovering something new, and he'd be already following them on social media. We met in Los Angeles, watched Oppenheimer, and visited the cinema museum. We’re both in love with this craft. Rahman, like Mani, speaks only what’s needed—nothing more. I’ve learned so much from both of them."
Thug Life also stars Trisha, Aishwarya Lekshmi, Joju George, Abhirami, Nassar, Mahesh Manjrekar, Tanikella Bharani, Vadivukkarasi, Chinni Jayanth, Vaiyapuri, Bagavathi Perumal, Baburaj, Ali Fazal, Rohit Saraf, Arjun Chidambaram, Chetan, and Rajashri Deshpande.
The technical crew of Thug Life features cinematographer Ravi K Chandran, music director AR Rahman, editor Sreekar Prasad and action directors Anbariv. The film is a co-production between Udhayanidhi's Red Giant Movies, Kamal Haasan's Raaj Kamal Film International, and Mani Ratnam's Madras Talkies.
Thug Life is all set to hit theatres on June 5.