Shivarajkumar Declares Lifelong Admiration for Kamal Haasan at Thug Life Audio Launch
May 25, 2025: At the grand audio launch of Thug Life, held in Chennai on Saturday, Kannada superstar Shivarajkumar made an emotional and heartfelt tribute to Kamal Haasan, calling himself a lifelong fan of the legendary actor.
The event, hosted ahead of the film’s June 5 theatrical release, celebrated the reunion of Kamal Haasan and director Mani Ratnam—their first collaboration in 38 years since the iconic Nayakan.
As a special guest, Shivarajkumar took to the stage and recounted cherished memories of his admiration for Kamal Haasan.
“One day, Kamal sir came home to meet my father, Dr Rajkumar. I was just standing there, admiring him quietly. When he heard I was my dad’s son, he gave me a handshake. I asked if I could hug him, and he said yes. After that, I didn’t shower for three days. I wanted to keep his scent on me. That’s how much I love him.”
The Kannada star further recalled a deeply personal moment following his bladder cancer surgery in Miami last year.
“After the procedure, Kamal sir called me from Chicago. He said, ‘You don’t know, Shivanna, I have tears in my eyes after speaking to you.’ It felt like I was speaking to my own father. I can never forget that.”
Shivarajkumar had previously shared details of his cancer battle and treatment. “I was scared before the surgery,” he said in a video to fans, thanking his doctor, Dr Shashidhar, and the support of family, friends, and fans that gave him strength through chemotherapy and recovery.
About Thug Life
Directed by Mani Ratnam, Thug Life is a high-octane gangster action drama featuring Kamal Haasan in the lead role. The ensemble cast includes Silambarasan, Trisha Krishnan, Abhirami, Aishwarya Lekshmi, Ashok Selvan, Joju George, Nassar, Ali Fazal, Pankaj Tripathi, Rohit Saraf, and Baburaj.
The film is slated to hit theatres on June 5, 2025, and marks a significant cinematic milestone with the reunion of two Indian cinema legends—Kamal Haasan and Mani Ratnam.