It was just a few days ago that Kamal Haasan’s latest gangster drama directed by Mani Ratnam-Thug Life, opened in theatres across the country, and already the buzz is palpable thanks to the production scale and streaming buzz. Initially, the film was confirmed to release on Netflix eight weeks after its theatrical release, but new reports from M9 News have suggested that this might be set to happen even earlier-at just four weeks instead. Boasting a fantastic cast and backed by the kind of music that only AR Rahman can deliver, the film continues to impress in theatres while some fans look forward to seeing if they will be lucky enough to enjoy access to this blockbuster early once it goes digital.
Where digital premieres are now almost as eagerly awaited as theatrical ones, Mani Ratnam’s Thug Life has adopted a position setting an intersection between the two. Released in theatres on June 5, this gangster drama starring Kamal Haasan has already created a ripple for its scale and storytelling as well as its streaming timeline. The official word was that after an eight-week theatrical run, the film would land on Netflix, but fresh buzz indicates that the wait may be shorter than expected.
In their huge deal, Netflix has purchased the OTT rights of this Thug Life, which showcases, by all this evidence, that the movie is indeed a massive commercial prospect, cut across languages. Reportedly, the platform also plans to do a multilingual digital rollout to maximize reach across target audiences, especially in the Hindi-speaking belt. Kamal himself announced during the promotion interviews that the film would only come to Netflix after two months to give an extensive theatre run.
But M9 News reported that there are trade experts who seem to believe that the OTT release may be early, and instead of eight weeks, the period could be cut down to just four weeks. Meanwhile, discussions between the parties are still going on; should they be successful, Thug Life could possibly be arriving at the platform within just a month’s time from its theatrical debut.
Thereby, until that time comes, the film continues its odyssey into the big screen, drawing audiences with its realistic yet superb visuals and engaging storyline. Kamal Haasan plays Rangaraaya Sakthivel Naicker-a layered character inextricably embroiled with the underworld-and features in a big cast along with the likes of Silambarasan TR, Trisha Krishnan, Joju George, Ashok Selvan, and Abhirami. Along with stellar score by AR Rahman and stunning visuals by Ravi K Chandran, Thug Life combines emotion, action, and spectacle with Mani Ratnam’s magical storytelling.
Thug Life on the big screen
But this film continues its big-screen journey while drawing audiences on the basis of the theme, the visuals, and the gritty storytelling it delivers. Kamal Haasan is Rangaraaya Sakthivel Naicker on the big screen, a layered character as far as the criminal underworld is concerned. The star cast includes some of those critical roles filled by Silambarasan TR, Trisha Krishnan, Joju George, Ashok Selvan, and Abhirami. True to the music of AR Rahman and with the camera play of Ravi K Chandran, Thug Life tells the tale of emotion, action, and grandeur with all the larger-than-life storytelling that Mani Ratnam has.
May 12, 2025