It took 38 years for Mani Ratnam and Kamal Haasan to reunite after creating the cinematic landmark Nayakan. Expectations were sky-high for Thug Life, a film that promised to bring together two stalwarts with decades of artistic evolution. With Kamal not only leading the cast but also penning the script, the stakes couldn’t have been higher.

Plot

Haasan plays Rangaraya Sakthivel, a Delhi-based gangster who has been chased by death since birth; living the curse of mortality by outliving his loved ones. The narrative begins with promise, tracing Sakthivel’s journey as he adopts an orphaned boy, Amar (Silambarasan TR), during a gang shootout in 1994. He mentors Amar, hands over his criminal empire before heading to prison, and continues to rule from behind bars. However, betrayal shatters his reign, setting the stage for vengeance.

The curse of the second half

The film`s first half has several engaging elements. Ratnam, known for his mastery in world-building, draws us into Sakthivel’s layered life, punctuated by high-energy sequences and the catchy wedding number `Jinguchaa`. After setting stage in the first half, one expects things to unravel and the film to have its peak moments.