Thug Life (upcoming film)

Last updated

Thug Life
Thug Life (upcoming film).jpg
First look poster
Directed by Mani Ratnam
Written by
Produced by
Starring
Cinematography Ravi K. Chandran
Edited by A. Sreekar Prasad
Music by A. R. Rahman
Production
companies
CountryIndia
LanguageTamil

Thug Life is an upcoming Indian Tamil-language action drama film directed by Mani Ratnam, who co-wrote the script with Kamal Haasan, and produced by Raaj Kamal Films International, Madras Talkies and Red Giant Movies. The film stars Haasan, leading an ensemble cast that includes Silambarasan, Ashok Selvan, Trisha, Abhirami, Nassar, Joju George, Aishwarya Lekshmi, Ali Fazal, Pankaj Tripathi and Sanya Malhotra. It marks the reunion of Haasan with Ratnam after their 1987 film Nayakan .

Contents

The film was officially announced in November 2022 under the tentative title KH 234, as it is Haasan's 234th film as the leading actor, and the official title was announced in November 2023. Principal photography commenced in January 2024. It is currently being shot sporadically in several legs, with filming locations including Chennai and New Delhi. The film has music composed by A. R. Rahman, cinematography handled by Ravi K. Chandran and editing by A. Sreekar Prasad.

Cast

Production

Development

Kamal Haasan by Gage Skidmore.jpg
Mani Ratnam at the Museum of the Moving Image.jpg
Thug Life is the second collaboration of Kamal Haasan with Mani Ratnam after Nayakan (1987).

In late 2002, Kamal Haasan unveiled plans for a film project titled Moo, which he intended to co-direct alongside filmmakers Mani Ratnam and Singeetam Srinivasa Rao. The screenplay was to explore the intricacies of the Rashomon effect, presenting audiences with three distinct interpretations of a single incident. However, Ratnam opted out of the project, citing his commitments to Aayutha Ezhuthu (2004), which used a similar narrative device. Undeterred by Ratnam's departure, Haasan proceeded with the concept, resulting in the creation of Virumaandi (2004). This film, centred on the interrogation of two prison inmates, retained the thematic essence of Moo while offering a new perspective on the Rashomon effect. [2]

On 6 November 2022, the eve of Haasan's birthday, the actor announced through his social media pages that he was to join hands with Ratnam for the next latter's directorial. [3] The project was revealed to be funded by Haasan and Ratnam's respective production houses, Raaj Kamal Films International and Madras Talkies, along with Red Giant Movies, headed by Udhayanidhi Stalin. [4] [5] Tentatively titled KH 234, the collaboration of Haasan and Ratnam marks their reunion after the 1987 film Nayakan . [6] [7] Ratnam wrote the screenplay of the film along with Haasan. [8] A. R. Rahman was confirmed to compose the film's musical score. [9] [10] The technical crew includes editor A. Sreekar Prasad, cinematographer Ravi K. Chandran, stunt choreography duo Anbariv, publicity designer Gopi Prasannaa, costume designer Eka Lakhani and stylists Amritha Ram and Ambady Ranjith. [11] [12] The official title, Thug Life, was announced on 6 November 2023, the eve of Haasan's birthday. [1] [13]

Casting and filming

Jayam Ravi, Trisha and Dulquer Salmaan were announced as part of the cast on 6 November 2023. [14] Ravi described his role as an extended cameo, [15] and Trisha would reportedly receive ₹12 crore (US$1.5 million) as remuneration. [16] [17] Later that month, Abhirami confirmed being part of the cast, reuniting with Haasan after Virumaandi, with Nassar also being confirmed to play a prominent role. [18] [19] On 10 January 2024, Gautham Karthik and Joju George were announced play important roles, [20] [21] while Aishwarya Lekshmi was announced the following day. [22] Salmaan opted out from the project in March, due to scheduling conflicts, with Ravi also being reported to do so for the same reason. [23] [24] Silambarasan was reported to have been brought as Salmaan's replacement, with him allocating twenty five days in the following month. [25] Salmaan, Ravi and Gautham's departure from the film was confirmed in May when their names were omitted from an update from Raaj Kamal Films International on X (formerly Twitter). At the same time, Ashok Selvan was confirmed as Ravi's replacement. [26] [27]

Principal photography began with the first schedule on 24 January 2024 in Chennai. [28] A few days later, director Sudha Kongara, along with Bejoy Nambiar, visited the sets and posted stills on X. [29] The schedule concluded by 31 January. [30] Ratnam began location hunts in early February at European countries, including Serbia. [31] In late April, a schedule in New Delhi had begun. [32] Soon after, Ali Fazal and Pankaj Tripathi were confirmed to be in the film. [33] [34] A picture featuring Haasan, Vaiyapuri and Silambarasan was leaked to social media on 6 May, [35] forcing the makers to release an official look at Silambarasan two days later. [36] Filming also took place at Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple. By then Sanya Malhotra was confirmed to be in the film and had shot scenes, marking her Tamil debut, while Tripathi was expected to film soon. [37]

Music

Thug Life
Soundtrack album by
A. R. Rahman
Released2024
Recorded2023–2024
Studio Panchathan Record Inn and AM Studios, Chennai
Genre Film soundtrack
Language Tamil
Producer A. R. Rahman
A. R. Rahman chronology
Raayan
(TBA)		Thug Life
(TBA)		 Genie
(TBA)

The songs and background score are composed by A. R. Rahman in his third time for a Kamal Haasan film after Indian (1996) and Thenali (2000). [38] "Thug Life Theme" is the song that was featured on the 3-minute promotional video, that released on the eve of Haasan's birthday. [8] Another song has lyrics by Haasan. [39]

No.TitleLyricsSinger(s)Length
1."Thug Life Theme"Choir – Instrumental Nakul Abhyankar, Amina Rafiq, Deepthi Suresh, Rakshita Suresh, Alexandra Joy2:55

Controversy

Shortly after Silambarasan's participation in the film was confirmed, producer Ishari K. Ganesh sent a notice to the makers demanding his removal as there was an active "red card" issued by the Tamil Film Producers Council to the actor, prohibiting him from accepting new projects. [40]

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References

  1. 1 2 "'Thug Life' is the title of Kamal Haasan-Mani Ratnam's 'KH234'; Trisha, Dulquer Salmaan, Jayam Ravi join cast". The Hindu . 6 November 2023. Archived from the original on 6 November 2023. Retrieved 6 November 2023.
  2. ↑ "'ஹே ராம்' படத்துக்கு வரவேற்பு பத்தல பத்தல, அதனால தான் 'விருமாண்டி'... நடிகர் கமல்ஹாசன்!" [The reception of 'Hey Ram' is overwhelming, therefore only 'Virumandi'... Actor Kamal Haasan!]. TTN Cinema (in Tamil). 7 August 2022. Archived from the original on 11 August 2022. Retrieved 28 March 2024.
  3. ↑ "Kamal Haasan and Mani Ratnam to collaborate after 35 years, film tentatively titled KH 234". The Indian Express . 6 November 2022. Archived from the original on 9 July 2023. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
  4. ↑ Ramachandran, Naman (7 November 2022). "Kamal Haasan, Mani Ratnam Reunite on 'KH234,' 35 Years After Blockbuster 'Nayakan'". Variety . Archived from the original on 6 November 2023. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
  5. ↑ "The Nayakan duo is back! Kamal Haasan to feature in a Mani Ratnam film after 35 years". OTTPlay . 6 November 2022. Archived from the original on 4 February 2023. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
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  8. 1 2 Thug Life | KH234 | Title Announcement Video | Kamal Haasan | Mani Ratnam | AR Rahman | RKFI |MT |RG. Raaj Kamal Films International. 6 November 2023. Archived from the original on 24 January 2024. Retrieved 24 January 2024– via YouTube.
  9. ↑ "Thug Life: Makers Drop Announcement Video as Kamal Haasan Starrer Goes on Floors". ETV Bharat News. 24 January 2024. Archived from the original on 24 January 2024. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
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  14. ↑ "It's Official: Dulquer Salmaan, Trisha & Jayam Ravi join the cast of Kamal Haasan's 'KH 234'". The Times of India . 6 November 2023. Archived from the original on 24 January 2024. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
  15. ↑ Rajaraman, Kaushik (27 February 2024). "I try to bring in new body language with each of my characters". DT Next . Archived from the original on 27 February 2024. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
  16. ↑ "'KH 234': Trisha to become the first South Indian actress to get a double-digit salary". The Times of India . 15 September 2023. Archived from the original on 24 January 2024. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
  17. ↑ "How Much Did Trisha Krishnan Charge For Lokesh Kanagaraj's Leo?". Times Now . 24 October 2023. Archived from the original on 24 October 2023. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
  18. ↑ "'Virumandi' actress Abhirami confirms reuniting with Kamal Haasan in Mani Ratnam's directorial 'Thug Life'". The Times of India . 21 November 2023. Archived from the original on 5 January 2024. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
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  23. ↑ "Dulquer Salmaan Steps Out of Kamal Haasan's Thug Life". Film Companion . 5 March 2024. Archived from the original on 5 March 2024. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
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  35. ↑ "Leaked pic: Kamal Haasan shoots with Simbu and others for 'Thug Life' in Delhi". India Today . 6 May 2024. Archived from the original on 6 May 2024. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
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