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Critics Review
2.50
Thug Life talked the talk but the film never walked the walk.
Thug Life aspires to be a grand return but falls short of its potential. Despite moments of insight and ambition, the film feels emotionally distant and thematically scattered. It hints at depth but never fully commits, leaving behind a story that struggles to stay engaging or relatable.(more)
Source: MovieCrow, MovieCrow
2.00
Kamal Movie Falls Short of Expectations
ani Ratnam weaved a story where a gangster (Kamal), whose member, unknowingly shoots a paper man, but the whole film revolves around Kamal trying to reunite orphaned brother and sister who go different ways. Kind of redemption but it is too little to keep audience engaged.. Truly, Mani Ratnam missed his mark by a long distance this time.(more)
Source: BVS Prakash, Deccan Chronicle
2.00
Kamal Haasan's Film Definitely Needed More Life
Thug Life is only a film. It isn't a tough-as-nails and unstoppable crime lord, as thought by the screenwriters. So, it does not possess Sakthivel's regenerative power. Once the core of its central idea begins to wear thin as a result of being stretched to snapping point, not even Mani Ratnam's style and Kamal Haasan's presence are enough to pull the bacons out of the fire. Thug Life definitely needed more life.(more)
Source: Saibal Chatterjee, NDTV Movies
2.50
Kamal Haasan's fiery performance aside, Mani Ratnam's gangster drama shoots blanks
As has been the case with many recent Mani Ratnam films, songs feature sparingly and yet it does somehow feel like it is Rahman who is doing all the heavy lifting in selling the emotions. Touted as one of the biggest Tamil films of the year, Thug Life boasts exquisite production design and striking cinematography. However, despite a master filmmaker at the helm, all the star power in its arsenal and the right ingredients to make a heady modern gangster drama, it makes you grope in the dark for its beating heart.(more)
Source: BHUVANESH CHANDAR, The Hindu
2.50
A star-studded letdown
Thug Life is a classic case of great potential gone unrealised. Despite the presence of legends like Kamal Haasan and Mani Ratnam, the film fails to engage, surprise, or emotionally move the audience. With no real novelty, weak character arcs, and an undercooked screenplay, it ends up being a tedious watch. Even for fans, this might be a disappointing outing. If you�re looking for a gripping crime saga or a vintage Mani Ratnam experience, you�re better off revisiting his classics.(more)
Source: 123 Telugu, 123telugu.com
1.50
Kamal Haasan, Mani Ratnam's 'game of thrones' is a cinematic endurance test
Another major disappointment in Thug Life is Rahman�s music, especially the jarring and often senseless background score. At several points, the BGM feels so tonally off that it makes the viewers feel like they are watching a gangster spoof. While "Vinveli Nayaga" is good in its entirety, its fragmented odd placements in various parts of the film end up detracting from the overall experience. If there's anything as bad as AR Rahman's music on the technical front, it's Anbariv's action choreography.(more)
Source: Anandu Suresh, Indian Express
3.00
Mani Ratnam's Magic Is Missing
Whether you'd enjoy Thug Life really depends on how much you'd enjoy watching and re-watching Kamal Haasan defy death and emerge on the big screen. The supporting cast is brilliant but Mani Ratnam's narrative is skewed to give a meatier role to Kamal while others, equally talented, have to make do with lesser purpose and screen time.(more)
Source: Naviya Nair, Rediff.com