Kamal Haasan’s Thug Life, directed by Mani Ratnam, is facing significant hurdles both at the box office and in Karnataka, where the film remains banned due to a language controversy. The makers have accused the Karnataka government of failing to address threats from pro-Kannada groups, exacerbating the film’s challenges.
The controversy erupted at the Thug Life audio launch in Chennai, where Haasan remarked, “Kannada was born out of Tamil.” This statement sparked outrage among Karnataka’s pro-Kannada organizations, leading to a ban on the film’s release by the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce. Fringe groups have allegedly threatened violence, including burning theatres and targeting Tamil minorities.
Happy Birthday, Mani Ratnam.
From Nayakan to Thug Life, we’ve journeyed through time together — as colleagues, family, co-dreamers, and above all, as lifelong students of cinema. Through every chapter, your presence has been a source of strength — a mind I turn to in moments of… pic.twitter.com/PVb9ejWdwL
— Kamal Haasan (@ikamalhaasan) June 2, 2025
The makers have taken the issue to the Supreme Court, alleging that no FIRs have been filed despite these threats. Advocate A Velan stated, “The state government has not acted, adopting the position of the fringe elements.” The Supreme Court issued a notice to Karnataka’s Chief Secretary, Principal Secretary (Home), and Director General of Police, with a hearing set for 17 June.
In response to the backlash, Haasan wrote to the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce, clarifying that his statement was misinterpreted and intended to promote unity. However, he refused to apologize, standing firm on his remarks.
Meanwhile, Thug Life is struggling at the box office, earning Rs. 44.75 crore nett in India by its ninth day, falling short of the anticipated Rs. 50 crore mark. The film, a reunion of Haasan and Ratnam after their 1987 classic Nayakan, opened strongly on 5 June with Rs. 15.5 crore but saw a sharp 55% drop to Rs. 7.5 crore on day two.
#ThuglifeTrailer Out Now
WATCH NOW – https://t.co/ELllM2r0Yr #Thugfluencers#ThuglifeAudioLaunch from May 24#Thuglife#ThuglifeFromJune5 #KamalHaasan #SilambarasanTR #IMAX
A #ManiRatnam Film
An @arrahman Musical@ikamalhaasan @SilambarasanTR_ #Mahendran @bagapath… pic.twitter.com/nXSzK6WyFJ
— Kamal Haasan (@ikamalhaasan) May 17, 2025
Negative reviews, competition from Akshay Kumar’s Housefull 5, and the Karnataka ban have significantly impacted its performance. Tamil occupancy dropped to 15.21% by day eight, and total collections lag behind Haasan’s Indian 2 (Rs. 70.4 crore in its first week) and Ratnam’s Ponniyin Selvan films. The Karnataka ban alone is estimated to have cost Rs. 35-40 crore in potential revenue, according to trade reports.
Thug Life, a gangster drama about an aging criminal seeking vengeance, boasts a strong cast including Silambarasan TR, Trisha Krishnan, and Joju George, with music by AR Rahman. Despite its technical strengths, the film’s box office trajectory suggests a challenging road ahead, marking a rare setback for the iconic actor-director duo.
Netflix has acquired the film’s digital rights for Rs. 149.7 crore, with a potential streaming release in August, though no official date has been confirmed. As the legal battle and box office struggles continue, Thug Life remains a focal point of controversy and discussion.
See Also: Housefull 5 Crosses ₹50 Cr Mark On Saturday; Kamal Haasan’s Thug Life Trails With Nearly ₹30 Cr In Earnings
