Mani Ratnam Opens Up on ‘Thug Life’ Failure – Says Expectations Led to Disappointment

Thug Life, directed by Mani Ratnam and starring Ulaganayagan Kamal Haasan, was one of the most anticipated films prior to its release. With the legendary duo reuniting after decades, fans expected a film on par with their iconic Nayagan. However, Thug Life failed to resonate with audiences, leading to widespread disappointment.

Addressing the film’s underwhelming response, Mani Ratnam spoke candidly about the reasons behind its failure. “To those who expected another Nayagan from us, all I can say is — we’re sorry,” he said. “We never intended to recreate that style or tone. We aimed to deliver something completely different.”

He went on to explain that the film’s unique approach clashed with fan expectations. “Audiences were looking for something else entirely. What we gave them didn’t align with what they had imagined. That’s where the disconnect happened, and that’s why Thug Life didn’t succeed,” Mani Ratnam added.

While the collaboration between Kamal Haasan and Mani Ratnam stirred nostalgia and high hopes, it’s clear that the film’s departure from familiar territory ultimately led to its downfall.