Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) [India]: Veteran actor Kamal Haasan opened up about his much-anticipated film ‘Thug Life’, sharing insights into his creative journey with acclaimed director Mani Ratnam, as well as his reflections on his long cinematic career.
Speaking to the media, Haasan emphasized the collaborative nature of the film:
“Every film is a challenge, especially when you add another director like Mani Ratnam and a story that is so interesting. Fortunately, he included me in the story’s preparation. I gave him an idea. Most of the time I was getting vegetables and helping him make it more tasty. That’s what I did. And that I call a true collaboration. We both are children of cinema and that is how we see each other.”
Star-Studded Production and Artistic Excellence
Haasan highlighted the many creative elements that make Thug Life stand out, from performances to music:
“Good actors, good makeup artists, costume designers, fantastic director, great music. I don’t have to anymore explain to you why I say it’s great. Of course, I love to join the crowd and cheer a great music director like A. R. Rahman. He has done an excellent job.”
A Journey from Childhood Stardom to Evolving Artistry
Revisiting his roots in theatre and early acting experiences, Haasan recalled his days as a young performer:
“I was a happy child. I was a parrot—not caged—but they taught me, and I repeated. It’s only after 7, when I joined theatre and all that, I realised that so many intelligent children were around me, and I’ve been lucky to have become a star. That’s when I actually started learning outside of school.”
He also reflected on his personal and professional growth since his first collaboration with Mani Ratnam on Nayakan (1987):
“I am not the same person Mani Ratnam met during ‘Nayakan.’ We both seem to have evolved. I cannot remain in my childhood phase because I’m evolving every day.”
About the Film
In Thug Life, Kamal Haasan plays the lead role of Rangaraaya Sakthivel Naicker, alongside a powerhouse ensemble cast including:
- Silambarasan TR
- Trisha Krishnan
- Ashok Selvan
- Aishwarya Lekshmi
- Joju George
- Ali Fazal
- Sanya Malhotra
- Rohit Saraf
The film is directed by Mani Ratnam and features music by A. R. Rahman. Thug Life is slated for release on June 5, marking a powerful reunion between Ratnam and Haasan 38 years after their iconic collaboration in Nayakan.