Kamal Haasan and Mani Ratnam’s Thug Life was one of the most highly anticipated films of the year, bringing together two cinematic legends after decades. However, despite the excitement, Thug Life failed to live up to its massive expectations. The film struggled to make an impact at the box office and had a short theatrical run, missing major milestones like the ₹100 crore mark worldwide.
The Hindi version, in particular, suffered immensely, earning less than ₹2 crore nett and failing to draw audiences across North India. This underperformance outside its core markets added to the makers’ troubles.
In a surprising move, Thug Life will premiere on Netflix just four weeks after its release — much earlier than the standard eight-week theatrical window that most North Indian multiplex chains follow. This breach of the usual practice has led to a ₹25 lakh fine on the makers. To further resolve the issue, they have decided to give up their remaining Hindi theatrical share as well.
It’s reported that the digital rights deal, initially secured at a high price, had to be renegotiated due to the film’s lackluster theatrical performance. Even a powerhouse combination like Kamal Haasan as a gangster and Silambarasan as his adopted son, directed by Mani Ratnam, wasn’t enough to make Thug Life click with audiences.
In the end, Thug Life is a reminder that even the biggest names can’t guarantee success if the story doesn’t connect. Audiences today want engaging content, and that matters more than star power alone.
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