Mani Ratnam Responds to Backlash Over Kamal Haasan-Trisha Pairing in ‘Thug Life’

The upcoming film Thug Life, directed by acclaimed filmmaker Mani Ratnam, is at the center of a social media controversy following the release of its trailer. The romantic pairing of 70-year-old actor Kamal Haasan with 42-year-old actress Trisha has drawn criticism due to the nearly three-decade age gap between the two stars.

The trailer, which features several intimate moments between the lead characters, has prompted a wave of backlash online, with many questioning the appropriateness of such an on-screen relationship.

Addressing the criticism, director Mani Ratnam dismissed the outrage, emphasizing that age-gap relationships are a reflection of real-life dynamics and should not be judged harshly.

“Such romances happen in our lives too. We shouldn’t be so quick to judge,” Ratnam said in response to the controversy. He stressed that the actors are simply portraying fictional characters and that their personal ages should not overshadow the narrative.

“They are actors playing roles,” he added. “Don’t judge them without watching the film.”

Thug Life features Kamal Haasan’s character romantically involved with both Trisha and Abhirami, both actresses in their early 40s. Ratnam urged audiences to consider the broader context of the story before forming opinions.

“Context is everything when it comes to storytelling,” the director said. “View the film in its entirety before drawing conclusions.”

While May-December romances have long been a staple in cinema, the debate reflects a growing sensitivity among audiences to issues of representation and gender dynamics. Some critics argue that such casting continues a pattern in the industry where older male actors are frequently paired with much younger female leads — a practice increasingly scrutinized in the age of evolving social standards.

As Thug Life gears up for release, the discussion surrounding its casting choices highlights the complex intersection of artistic freedom, audience perception, and changing cultural expectations in Indian cinema.