Thug Life Review: A Gripping First Half, a Chaotic Fall, and Kamal Haasan’s Unshakeable Aura

The movie named Thug Life has finally arrived in theatres starring none other than Kamal Haasan, and honestly, the journey of this film for me started long before release day. The moment its announcement video came out – extremely short, barely a teaser – my curiosity shot up like a firecracker lit in the wrong neighborhood. The vibe of that tiny clip was so visually striking that my brain immediately went: “Bro, what are these people making?”

Because let’s be real – the “very first asset” a movie drops is extremely important. It’s the handshake, the first impression, the “do I swipe right?” moment. And in that regard, Thug Life absolutely killed it. From that very first short clip itself so that people who missed it can witness how gorgeous, mysterious, and offbeat that early glimpse was. From Kamal Haasan’s look to his attire, the rugged clothes, the gritty backdrop, the color grading that looked like someone poured cinematic wisdom through a filter – everything screamed next level stuff.

Today, I walked out of the theatre after watching all that “next level stuff.” And I’ll give you my very honest reaction:

It robbed me. Thug Life robbed me.

When Meme Culture Meets Mani Ratnam’s Gangster World

Let’s address the elephant in the meme room. The first thing that pops into your mind when you hear “Thug Life” is obviously the meme culture we grew up with – the sunglasses dropping, the freeze frame, the beat drop, the “deal with it” energy. It used to rule the internet in my time.

But the movie? Completely different zone. Inside this film, we actually witness the entire life of a thug, the rise of a gangster, the philosophy behind that life, the relationships, the betrayals – the whole gritty package.

And before you ask, I do want to tell you something important:

I did not watch the trailer before watching Thug Life.
A rare, accidental blessing.

While watching the movie I kept thinking, “I shouldn’t talk about that storyline point; it might be a spoiler.” Then I came home, watched the trailer, and realized…

Bro, bro – the trailer already spoiled everything. What’s even left?

So if you want the full experience, avoid that trailer like your ex’s Instagram stories.

Structure, Story & A Unique Gangster Timeline

The movie claims to show a gangster’s entire life, and it does – but with a twist.

Kamal Haasan’s character is introduced not from childhood, not from teenage, not even from the early 20s. We actually meet him mid-life – maybe at 30 or 40 – and follow him till possibly 60 or 70. And “How old is Kamal Haasan?” Kamal Haasan is 70 years old. So do your math.)

But then comes the question:
Where is his childhood? Where is the early life?

That portion is shown through another character, a kid whom Kamal’s gangster character adopts. Through this kid, we witness how someone enters this dangerous world, how he grows inside it, and how he eventually becomes what gangsters become – a creature shaped by both survival and sin.

The first half of the movie explores all this quite well. It has its own pacing, its own mood, and its own rhythm. Some people may find it slow. I didn’t. If you vibe with its tone from the very beginning, the first half is engaging and atmospheric.

A Gangster Story With Familiar Yet Effective Building Blocks

Because this is a gangster film, you will naturally see classical elements – not copied, but familiar in the genre. There’s the gangster himself, his family, his coded values, rival gangsters, small conflicts that escalate into all-out war.

Imagine a chessboard. Both white and black sides have their kings, queens, bishops, rooks – important players lined up strategically.

Thug Life sets up its board very well.

There are six active players who genuinely impact the story. Who’s killing whom? Who’s deceiving whom? Who’s hiding what? Who’s pulling strings from the shadows? It has the potential to become an intense, layered, intelligent gangster web.

The interval comes at a very correct spot, building anticipation for how this carefully arranged chessboard will unfold in the second half.

And then…

The Second Half – When the Chessboard Suddenly Collapses

You must have seen that viral clip where a person punches the table and all the chess pieces fall down. The entire game collapses.

That’s exactly what happens here.

The grounded thug life shown in the first half suddenly takes a superhero turn. The film decides:
“Now let’s add mass elements. Let’s make an action movie. Let’s give our lead character a cape and a cheat code.” They don’t go as unrealistic as Indian 2-level exaggeration, but for this movie’s world it still becomes too much.

Where the first half was atmospheric and absorbing, the second half turns into:
“Bro, I want to go home.” Not because the story stops mattering – some points are interesting – but the writing becomes too convenient.

Characters are thrown into deadly situations and walk out like they had plot armor thicker than Iron Man’s suit. Events happen just because the script wants them to happen.

The fictional allowances feel forced.
The rhythm breaks.
The immersion snaps.

And that huge dip means the film loses a lot of the goodwill built earlier.

The Man, The Myth, The Magic: Kamal Haasan

Let’s talk about the legend.
Mr. Vikram himself. The living icon. Kamal Haasan.

Even at 70 – let me repeat, 70 – this man carries a screen presence heavier than the combined weight of all the gangsters in the film. His character’s aura, dignity, menace, leadership – all feel organic and powerful. You understand instantly why people in the film treat him like a kingpin.

The de-aging work on him is phenomenal. Smooth, consistent, not distracting. It elevates the early portions of his life beautifully.

Trisha – Still Making Everyone Go Crazy

Next, a shout-out from the heart to Trisha.

In the movie, every man is crazy about her.
And I’m like – “Correct. Same here.”
“How old is Trisha?”
(42, followed by me being shocked about my own age again.)

She is elegance, calmness, and emotional weight wrapped into one understated performance.

A Cameo That Promised Rolex Vibes… Then Fell Flat

There’s another artist – Ali Fazal – when his name appeared on screen, I genuinely thought:
“Is this going to be a Vikram Rolex-level moment again?”

The build-up for his entry is grand. You’re like, “Bro, when he clashes with Kamal Haasan, firecrackers will burst inside the theatre.”

But after the introduction, every appearance made me ask:
“Why would you choose this role?”

Maybe he just wanted to work with Mani Ratnam and Kamal Haasan. Fair enough. But still… the role does not justify his potential. It feels undercooked compared to the rest of the ensemble.

Hindi Dub – Good, Bad, and Immersion-Breaking Songs

I watched the movie in Hindi, as no Tamil Shows here in my locality (as I am travelling).
The dubbing overall is okay-ish – regular dialogue scenes play out fine.

But the moment a song arrives, the illusion cracks. The Hindi songs simply don’t land well. They pull you out of the mood instantly.

The good part? Kamal Haasan dubbed his own voice. And what a difference it makes. South actors often attempt this in Hindi versions but rarely succeed. Kamal sir? Perfect. Clear, powerful, rooted, and emotionally aligned with the character.

Action: Stylish, Intense, But Undermined by Writing

The action sequences are well done. Stylish visuals, sharp shots, good intensity.

Whenever punches fly or guns roar, your interest stays intact. The choreography and cinematography during these portions are especially impressive. But again – the second half’s writing issues overshadow everything. Even good action cannot save a narrative that suddenly starts running on convenience fuel.

Visuals, Cinematography & That Gorgeous “Eye-Candy” Look

If Thug Life had to be graded on visuals alone, it would score extremely high.

From the very first announcement video to the movie’s final frames, the film looks stunning. Every frame feels deliberate. The color palettes, the contrast, the layered compositions – everything is filmed with an eye for artistic grit.

The last five minutes of the film especially regain some emotional impact. A small spark of what the film could have been.

But by then, the dip is huge.

Should You Watch It?

This is the biggest question. Should you take the Thug Life risk? Here’s the honest breakdown:

The film is worth watching for

• Kamal Haasan’s phenomenal performance
• Brilliant cinematography
• Atmospheric first half
• Strong world-building
• Impressive de-aging
• Moments of powerful emotions
• Stylish, gripping action

The film becomes shaky because of

• A messy, exaggerated second half
• Forced “mass” elements
• Logical convenience everywhere
• An underutilized key actor
• Average Hindi songs ruining immersion

So the recommendation depends on your tolerance level.

If you’re ready to embrace the risk and you’re a fan of gangster dramas, Kamal Haasan, Mani Ratnam’s style, and visual filmmaking – go give it a shot.

If sloppy writing in the second half annoys you, then be prepared for frustration.

For me, Thug Life is a film that starts like a king, walks like a don, but eventually slips on its own expectations.

Still, for Kamal Haasan’s sheer presence alone – it’s worth considering.