Thug Life Movie Review | Vishal Menon | THR India

In this movie review, Vishal Menon from The Hollywood Reporter India analyzes Kamal Haasan's "Thug Life," the highly anticipated reunion with director Mani Ratnam after 38 years since "Nayakan." While Vishal praises the film's conceptual brilliance and layered themes exploring the classic good vs. evil conflict through characters Shakti and Amaran (Silambarasan), he examines why the movie remains emotionally distant despite its intellectual depth. The review delves into the film's mythological parallels to Ashwatthama from the Mahabharata and explores how death becomes Shakti's constant companion throughout his tragic journey.

Despite strong performances from the cast and technical excellence including Rahman's experimental score and Ravi Chandran's stunning cinematography, Vishal discusses why audiences might struggle to connect with the characters on an emotional level. He explores the film's dense narrative structure, its treatment of complex themes like the Oedipus complex, and why this collaboration between two Tamil cinema legends creates a movie that works better in the mind than in the heart. The review concludes that "Thug Life" may require multiple viewings to fully appreciate its intricate storytelling.