Despite pre-release hype and big names like Mani Ratnam and Kamal Haasan, Thug Life fails to hit ₹100 crore globally, joining Kanguva among Kollywood’s costliest post-pandemic disappointments.
Chennai | June 25, 2025:
Thug Life, the much-hyped collaboration between Kamal Haasan and Mani Ratnam, has wrapped up its theatrical run with a worldwide gross of just ₹92.75 crore — marking one of the biggest box office disasters in recent Kollywood history.
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The film, which starred Silambarasan TR, Trisha Krishnan, and an ensemble cast, managed to gross ₹50.75 crore in India and $4.9 million (₹42 crore) overseas. Despite opening at a respectable ₹36 crore globally on day one, the film failed to sustain momentum due to poor word of mouth and severe second-day drops.
🎥 Box Office Breakdown:
India Gross: ₹50.75 crore
- Tamil Nadu: ₹43 crore
- Andhra States: ₹3.25 crore
- Kerala: ₹2.5 crore
- North India: ₹2 crore
Overseas Gross: ₹42 crore (USD 4.9 million)
Total Worldwide Gross: ₹92.75 crore
📉 A Sharp Fall From Opening to Final
What began as a potentially game-changing collaboration quickly turned into a cautionary tale. With theatrical earnings ending at just 2.5 times its opening day, Thug Life was rejected outright by audiences.
It was expected to be a worthy companion or even a challenger to Kamal Haasan’s Indian 2, but with nearly ₹60 crore less in earnings, it has fallen drastically short.
📺 Early OTT Premiere and Recovery from Non-Theatrical Rights
While the film’s non-theatrical rights have helped recover the production costs (excluding the lead cast’s remuneration), Thug Life will soon have an early digital premiere — a clear indication of its underwhelming theatrical run.
Multiplexes have reportedly fined the makers for breaching the 8-week theatrical window initially promised.
🎬 What’s Next for the Stalwarts?
Both Mani Ratnam and Kamal Haasan have moved on from the film. Ratnam is said to have started work on his next directorial venture, while Haasan is now focused on Shankar’s Indian 3 — hoping for a much-needed hit.
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