Despite a promising start, Mani Ratnam’s gangster drama sees sharp decline, with early weekend signs pointing to a struggle at the box office.
Chennai | June 7, 2025: Kamal Haasan’s high-octane action film Thug Life, directed by veteran filmmaker Mani Ratnam, is facing a challenging run at the box office. After earning ₹15.50 crore on its opening day, the film witnessed a steep 50% drop on day two, collecting only ₹7.50 crore, bringing the two-day India net total to ₹23 crore.
The early signs point to dwindling audience interest, with mixed reviews and a lack of strong word-of-mouth affecting footfalls. Despite the pre-release buzz and star power of Kamal Haasan, the film is now staring at a crucial weekend window to avoid being labelled a commercial disappointment.
Karnataka Ban Adds to Woes
The film’s performance has been significantly impacted by its non-release in Karnataka, a major market for Tamil films. The ban follows backlash against Kamal Haasan’s controversial remark claiming that “Kannada is born out of Tamil.” With no apology forthcoming from the actor, legal proceedings are underway, and a verdict is expected on June 10.
Fans from Bengaluru have reportedly travelled to Hosur and other nearby Tamil Nadu cities to catch screenings — but it hasn’t been enough to offset the regional shortfall.
Streaming Route Ahead?
Sources indicate that Thug Life will debut on Netflix in early July, adhering to the typical four-week OTT window followed by many Tamil releases. If the box office slump continues, the digital release could become the film’s saving grace.
The current scenario mirrors that of recent Tamil films like Retro, which opened strong but collapsed over the weekend. Unless Thug Life sees a notable recovery on Saturday and Sunday, its theatrical journey may be cut short.
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Thug Life, Kamal Haasan, Mani Ratnam, Thug Life box office collection, Thug Life controversy, Karnataka movie ban, Tamil cinema 2025, Netflix release, Indian cinema, box office trends