Thug LifeThug Life

Kamal Haasan and Mani Ratnam’s much-anticipated collaboration, Thug Life, has faced a tough run at the box office since its release. While fans were excited about the duo reuniting after 38 years, the movie’s box office performance has not matched expectations. On its 11th day, the film recorded its lowest single-day collection so far, signaling a worrying trend for the makers.

In this article, we’ll explore the detailed day-wise performance of Thug Life, compare it with previous movies by Kamal Haasan and Mani Ratnam, examine the reasons for its underperformance, and look at the challenges it now faces from competing releases.

Quick Summary: Thug Life Box Office Performance

Here is a brief overview of the film’s box office data as of Day 11:

DetailInformation
Release DateJune 5, 2025
Opening Day Collection₹15.5 crore
Day 11 Collection (2nd Sunday)₹69 lakh
Total India Collection₹46.37 crore (all languages)
Language VersionsTamil, Telugu, Hindi
GenreCrime Thriller
Main CastKamal Haasan, Simbu, Trisha

The Big Reunion That Fell Flat

When news broke that Kamal Haasan and director Mani Ratnam would reunite after 38 years for a film titled Thug Life, the Indian film industry and fans were buzzing with excitement. Their last collaboration, Nayakan (1987), is considered a cult classic. Naturally, expectations were sky-high for Thug Life, but the film hasn’t lived up to its hype at the box office.

Day-Wise Breakdown: How Thug Life Performed

Let’s look at how the movie has fared over its first 11 days at the Indian box office:

  • Day 1 (Thursday, June 5): ₹15.5 crore – Strong start.
  • Day 2: Dropped sharply to single digits.
  • Days 3–7: Struggled to stay above ₹1 crore per day.
  • Day 8 (2nd Friday): ₹75 lakh.
  • Day 9 (Saturday): ₹93 lakh – Slight weekend bump.
  • Day 10 (Sunday): ₹69 lakh – Lowest so far.

Despite the initial buzz, the movie’s momentum dropped drastically after Day 1. The total collection across all languages now stands at ₹46.37 crore – far from the expected ₹100 crore milestone.

What Went Wrong for Thug Life?

Several factors have contributed to the film’s disappointing run:

1. Mixed Reviews

Although the star cast and direction generated interest, the movie didn’t impress critics or audiences consistently. Mixed word-of-mouth affected footfall in the days after release.

2. No Karnataka Release

Thug Life was not released in Karnataka due to a controversy surrounding a remark made by Kamal Haasan. This cut off a crucial regional market and affected overall collections.

3. Limited Appeal Across Languages

The film performed best in Tamil but failed to attract strong viewership in the Telugu and Hindi markets. Poor dubbing and lack of localized promotion may have contributed.

4. Tough Competition

The timing of the release also posed challenges:

  • Housefull 5, a big-budget comedy released a day later, outperformed Thug Life with over ₹140 crore already collected.
  • Upcoming releases like Kuberaa (starring Dhanush and Nagarjuna) and Sitaare Zameen Par (Aamir Khan) are likely to divert even more audience attention.
Thug Life
Thug Life

Comparison With Previous Films

Here’s how Thug Life stacks up against previous films by Kamal Haasan and Mani Ratnam:

  • Vikram (2022): ₹50+ crore in 2 days.
  • Indian 2 (2024): Similar massive opening.
  • Ponniyin Selvan I & II (2022–2023): Both crossed ₹50 crore within 2–3 days.

In contrast, Thug Life has taken 11 days to barely approach ₹50 crore. This is a significant underperformance, especially given the legacy of both its lead actor and director.

Upcoming Challenges for Thug Life

The road ahead for Thug Life looks even more difficult with major upcoming releases set to dominate screens.

Kuberaa – June 20 Release

This pan-India crime drama directed by Sekhar Kammula features a strong cast: Nagarjuna, Dhanush, and Rashmika Mandanna. With its multi-language release, it directly targets Thug Life’s remaining audience.

Sitaare Zameen Par – Aamir Khan’s Comeback

This Hindi-language sports drama appeals to family audiences and will release the same weekend. Aamir Khan’s star power and wide appeal pose a serious threat in the North Indian market.

Box Office Share by Language

According to reports:

  • Tamil version accounts for the majority of collections.
  • Telugu and Hindi versions have underperformed.
    This imbalance shows Thug Life has been unable to establish pan-India traction, which is crucial for high-budget projects in 2025.

Star Power Not Enough?

Despite featuring a stellar cast including Simbu, Trisha, Ali Fazal, Nasser, and Rohit Saraf, the movie hasn’t been able to connect with a wider audience. Critics have pointed out that while the performances are solid, the screenplay lacks depth and the pacing drags in key sections.

Public Reaction on Social Media

Fan reactions on platforms like X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and Reddit have been mixed:

  • “Expected a masterpiece like Nayakan, got a confused thriller.”
  • “Kamal sir is amazing as always, but story didn’t deliver.”
  • “Why didn’t they release it in Karnataka? Lost a lot of money there.”

The absence of strong positive buzz has further slowed the film’s growth through word-of-mouth.

Is There Still Hope?

While it’s unlikely that Thug Life will see a major box office comeback, a few things could help the film recover slightly:

  1. OTT Release – A quick release on a major streaming platform could attract digital audiences and improve long-term visibility.
  2. Extended Run in Tamil Nadu – If word-of-mouth improves locally, collections may stabilize in its primary market.
  3. Promotional Push – A second wave of promotions, interviews, or fan screenings might help reignite interest.

Final Verdict: A Disappointment Despite Big Names

Thug Life had all the ingredients of a blockbuster: legendary actor, iconic director, and a gripping genre. But somewhere between the high expectations and execution, the film lost its grip. In today’s competitive landscape, even legendary names need more than legacy to ensure success — they need strong stories, fresh ideas, and impeccable timing.

Unless it sees a miracle turnaround in the coming days or gets a boost from digital release, Thug Life will likely go down as one of the more underwhelming box office stories of 2025.

By Admin

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