Kamal Haasan, Mani Ratnam’s Thug Life trailer unveiled. Check plot, cast and release date

Kamal Haasan is back—and in a way only he can be. The trailer for Thug Life, his much-anticipated collaboration with iconic filmmaker Mani Ratnam, has just dropped and is already making waves across the internet. The buzz is understandable—this marks the reunion of Haasan and Ratnam nearly four decades after their iconic film Nayakan, a milestone in Indian cinema. Fans and cinephiles alike had been waiting with bated breath, and the trailer has delivered a heavy dose of intensity, legacy, and visual grandeur.

Unveiled at a grand event in Chennai, the trailer was released in Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi, hinting at the film’s wide-scale appeal. Thug Life is a gritty gangster action drama that sees Kamal Haasan play Rangaraya Sakthivel Naickar, a feared underworld figure thought to be dead—until he resurfaces, only to find himself at odds with his own son. The trailer opens with Kamal’s commanding voiceover, setting the tone for a story woven with loyalty, power, and destiny. Actor Silambarasan TR (STR) also makes a striking appearance, introduced with Kamal’s character calling him not just a lion, but a “majestic lion”—his chosen successor.

Kamal Haasan took to X (formerly Twitter) to announce the trailer release and remind fans of the upcoming audio launch on May 24. The film is set to hit theatres on June 5, and with the trailer already generating strong reactions, expectations are sky-high for this gangster saga brought to life by two of Tamil cinema’s greatest minds.

Social media is buzzing

Social media is buzzing with excitement following the release of the Thug Life trailer. Fans have flooded the internet with praise, calling it a blockbuster in the making for Silambarasan TR. Many were blown away by the powerful visuals, high-octane energy, and intense character reveals. One viewer highlighted the surprising appearance of a younger Kamal Haasan in the trailer, appreciating the film’s strong technical finesse in every frame. Others expressed anticipation for the movie, calling it a majestic treat for cinema lovers. With Mani Ratnam at the helm, fans believe the film is set to redefine the gangster genre once again.

About Thug Life

Co-written by Kamal Haasan and Mani Ratnam, the film also features Trisha Krishnan, Sanya Malhotra, Abhirami, Ashok Selvan, Aishwarya Lekshmi, Joju George, Nassar, Ali Fazal, Pankaj Tripathi, Rohit Saraf, and Vaiyapuri. With music by the legendary A.R. Rahman and production handled by Raaj Kamal Films International, Madras Talkies, and Red Giant Movies, Thug Life promises to be both a cinematic spectacle and an emotional powerhouse.