‘Thug Life’, directed by Mani Ratnam and starring Kamal Haasan, is a film loaded with layered themes, political undertones, and stylistic brilliance. At its core, the movie explores the psyche of a rebel navigating a fractured world, guided by ideas of justice, betrayal, and identity. The visuals are compelling, the screenplay intellectually engaging, and Haasan’s performance, as always, carries gravitas.
Yet, despite its conceptual strength and cinematic flair, the film feels emotionally hollow. The characters—though ideologically potent—remain distant and underexplored, making it hard for viewers to form a deep connection with their journeys.
‘Thug Life’ succeeds in provoking thought but struggles to touch the heart. For fans of auteur-driven cinema, it’s a bold experiment; for others, it might feel like a visually beautiful puzzle that never fully comes together.
