Mani Ratnam is joining hands with Kamal Haasan for Thug Life, a full thirty-seven years after their work together for the classic gangster epic Nayakan (1987). The project which was announced a few months ago has officially started its production recently. The team put out a video with the final list of actors who are on board. The cast includes Kamal Haasan, Trisha, Aishwarya Lekshmi, Jayam Ravi, Dulquer Salmaan, Joju George and Gautham Karthik.
The Thug Life team had put out a title reveal teaser earlier which featured Kamal Haasan in an action avatar as a desi ‘Yakuza’ beating down thugs while monologuing about his past through regular fourth wall breaks.
Thug Life is based on a screenplay co-written by Mani Ratnam and B Jeyamohan and the big-budget samurai-styled epic is bankrolled by Madras Talkies and Raj Kamal Films International. The film is expected to be action-driven and a total departure for both Mani Ratnam and Kamal Haasan from their previous works. Ravi K Chandran is the cinematographer and AR Rahman is the music composer. Thug Life will feature action choreography by AnbAriv masters. The film is expected to release in the second half of 2024.