Exploring South Indian cinema was an idea Ali Fazal often toyed with. But the actor had never imagined making his Tamil debut in a Mani Ratnam film and having Kamal Haasan as a co-star. At a recent promotional event of Thug Life, the superstar welcomed Fazal to south cinema, revealing that he wanted to work with him ever since he saw his work in Vishal Bhardwaj’s Khufiya (2023). When we sit down with Fazal, the first thing we ask him is how it feels to be praised by Haasan. “Kamal sir is not just a legend, but a force of art and cinema. Getting to share the screen with him feels like a once-in-a-lifetime moment. To be welcomed by him with such generosity is beyond anything I could’ve imagined,” he smiles.

A still from Thug Life

Featuring in the action drama, which also stars Silambarasan TR, Trisha Krishnan, and Abhirami, was among the easiest decisions he has made. Fazal says, “There are some calls you get that you instantly know are meant to change the course of your journey. This was one of them. When you hear the name Mani Ratnam, you think of legacy, storytelling that’s timeless and deeply rooted in human emotion. I didn’t have to think before saying yes to Thug Life. A Mani Ratnam film isn’t something you get offered every day, and certainly not alongside someone as iconic as Kamal Haasan.”