Malayalam star actor Dulquer Salmaan was expected to reunite with his O Kadhal Kanmani (2015) director Mani Ratnam on upcoming movie Thug Life. However Dulquer seems to have opted out of the Kamal Haasan lead multi-starrer, owing to a packed schedule of his own.

Top star actors dropping out of Mani Ratnam movies owing to date clashes isn' unusual; Previously Keerthy Suresh had opted out of the Ponniyin Selvan franchise to star in Annaatthe, as the movies required extensive dates, and were taking time to begin shooting. 

Dulquer Salmaan's dropping out of Thug Life comes post an official cast announcement, and is perhaps a first in the Mani Ratnam/Madras Talkies universe. Team Thug Life is currently gearing up to shoot their next schedule in Serbia at the moment. Since Dulquer Salaam was supposed to be part of the Serbia schedule, team Thug Life is also said to be on the look out for a replacement.