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
  • Kamal Haasan
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 in a triple role, leading an ensemble cast that includes Trisha, Abhirami, Nassar, Gautham Karthik, Joju George and Aishwarya Lekshmi. It marks as the reunion between Ratnam and Haasan after their cult film Nayakan (1987).

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. 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, centered 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] [4] 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. [5] [6] Tentatively titled KH 234, the collaboration of Haasan and Ratnam marks their reunion after the 1987 film Nayakan . [7] [8] Ratnam wrote the screenplay of the film along with Haasan. [9] A. R. Rahman was confirmed to compose the film's musical score. [10] [11] 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. [12] [13] The official title, Thug Life, was announced on 6 November 2023, the eve of Haasan's birthday. [14] [15]

Casting

Nayanthara was initially cast as the female lead; however, due to issues with her remuneration, she withdrew from the film. [16] Jayam Ravi, Trisha and Dulquer Salmaan were announced as part of the cast on 6 November 2023. [17] Trisha would reportedly receive a remuneration of ₹120 million (US$1.5 million), which would make her the highest paid South-Indian actress. [18] [19] Ravi described his role as an extended cameo. [20] On 21 November, Abhirami confirmed that she would reunite with Haasan after the 2004 film Virumaandi . Nassar was also confirmed, playing a prominent role, the same month. [21] [22] On 10 January 2024, Gautham Karthik and Joju George were announced as being part of the cast, with the former reuniting with Ratnam after his debut film Kadal (2013), [23] [24] while Aishwarya Lekshmi was announced the day after. [25] [26] In March 2024, Salmaan left the project due to scheduling conflicts. [27] Later the same month, Ravi allegedly left the project due to scheduling conflicts caused by production delays, and Silambarasan was reportedly brought in as Salmaan's replacement. [28] [29] He reportedly allocated twenty-five days in late April for the film. [29] Arvind Swamy was reported as being Ravi's replacement. [30] On 15 April 2024, it was reported that Jayam Ravi and Dulquer Salmaan returned to the film with Silambarasan in a different role. [31]

Filming

Principal photography began with the first schedule on 24 January 2024 in Chennai. [32] A few days later, director Sudha Kongara, along with Bejoy Nambiar, visited the sets and posted stills on X (formerly Twitter). [33] The schedule concluded by 31 January. [34] Ratnam began location hunts in early February at European countries, including Serbia. [35]

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). [36] "Thug Life Theme" is the song that was featured on the 3-minute promotional video, that released on the eve of Haasan's birthday. [9]

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

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References

  1. ↑ "Thug Life: Kamal Haasan in 3 roles! Serbia schedule pushed past June, 2024". MovieCrow. 22 March 2024. Archived from the original on 23 March 2024. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
  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. ↑ Antony, Meriya (7 November 2022). "KH 234: Kamal Haasan and Mani Ratnam to reunite". onlookersmedia. Archived from the original on 1 February 2023. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
  5. ↑ 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.
  6. ↑ "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.
  7. ↑ "KH234 | Kamal Haasan, Mani Ratnam join hands 35 years after 'Nayakan'". The Hindu . 6 November 2022. Archived from the original on 14 January 2024. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
  8. ↑ "Kamal Haasan, Mani Ratnam to reunite for the first time after Nayagan". The New Indian Express . 6 November 2022. Archived from the original on 15 March 2023. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
  9. 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.
  10. ↑ "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.
  11. ↑ "KH234 officially launched; AR Rahman to compose". Cinema Express . 27 October 2023. Archived from the original on 25 January 2024. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
  12. ↑ "Kamal Haasan and Mani Ratnam tease fans ahead of the promo release; 'KH 234' crew announced!". The Times of India . 27 October 2023. Archived from the original on 27 October 2023. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
  13. ↑ "Stuntmasters AnbAriv say Kamal Haasan-Mani Ratnam's KH 234 a 'pure actioner': 'It will be of Hollywood standard'". The Indian Express . 6 November 2023. Archived from the original on 10 November 2023. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
  14. ↑ "'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.
  15. ↑ "KH234 is titled Thug Life: Kamal Haasan and Mani Ratnam team up for another gangster film". The Indian Express . 6 November 2023. Archived from the original on 11 January 2024. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
  16. ↑ amrita.ghosh (8 November 2023). "Why did Nayanthara walk out of Mani Ratnam's 'Thug Life' starring Kamal Hassan?". Asianet News . Archived from the original on 6 December 2023. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
  17. ↑ "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 24 January 2024.
  18. ↑ "'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 24 January 2024.
  19. ↑ "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 24 January 2024.
  20. ↑ 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 27 February 2024.
  21. ↑ "'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.
  22. ↑ "KH 234 Is Thug Life! Kamal Haasan's First Look As Rangaraya Sakthivel Nayakar From Mani Ratnam's Film Unveiled! Ulaganayagan Delivers Powerful Dialogues and Action Scenes in This Promo Video – WATCH". LatestLY. 6 November 2023. Archived from the original on 25 January 2024. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
  23. ↑ "Joju George and Gautham Karthik join the cast of Mani Ratnam – Kamal Haasan's 'Thug Life'". The Hindu . 10 January 2024. Archived from the original on 10 January 2024. Retrieved 10 January 2024.
  24. ↑ "Joju George And Gautham Karthik Join The Cast of Kamal Haasan's Thug Life". Film Companion . 11 January 2024. Archived from the original on 14 January 2024. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
  25. ↑ "Aishwarya Lekshmi comes onboard Kamal-starrer 'Thug Life'". DT Next . 11 January 2024. Archived from the original on 11 January 2024. Retrieved 11 January 2024.
  26. ↑ "Actress Aishwarya Lekshmi To Act In Kamal Haasan-starrer Thug Life". News18 . 13 January 2024. Archived from the original on 17 January 2024. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
  27. ↑ "Dulquer Salmaan Steps Out of Kamal Haasan's Thug Life". Film Companion . 5 March 2024. Archived from the original on 5 March 2024. Retrieved 5 March 2024.
  28. ↑ "After Dulquer, Jayam Ravi exits Kamal Haasan-Mani Ratnam project 'Thug Life': Reports". Onmanorama . 26 March 2024. Archived from the original on 27 March 2024. Retrieved 27 March 2024.
  29. 1 2 "Silambarasan TR to replace Dulquer Salmaan in Kamal Haasan's Thug Life". The Times of India . 26 March 2024. Archived from the original on 27 March 2024. Retrieved 27 March 2024.
  30. ↑ "Aravind Swamy in, Jayam Ravi out 'Thug Life'". The Times of India . 2 April 2024. Archived from the original on 4 April 2024. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
  31. ↑ Rajaraman, Kaushik (16 April 2024). "Thug Life on track; Jayam Ravi, Dulquer Salmaan back with STR in new role". DT Next . Archived from the original on 16 April 2024. Retrieved 16 April 2024.
  32. ↑ "Kamal Haasan-Mani Ratnam's 'Thug Life' shooting begins: Tale of power, rebellion". India Today . 24 January 2024. Archived from the original on 24 January 2024. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
  33. ↑ "Director Sudha Kongara Shares Photos From Sets Of Mani Ratnam's Thug Life". News18 . 30 January 2024. Archived from the original on 30 January 2024. Retrieved 30 January 2024.
  34. ↑ Sundar, Anusha (31 January 2024). "It's a wrap for first schedule of Kamal Haasan-starrer Thug Life; Second schedule to commence here soon". OTTPlay . Archived from the original on 31 January 2024. Retrieved 31 January 2024.
  35. ↑ "'Thug Life' next schedule to take place at THIS location; Mani Ratnam begins location hunt". The Times of India . 8 February 2024. Archived from the original on 10 February 2024. Retrieved 11 February 2024.
  36. ↑ "I failed to notice AR Rahman in his prime: Kamal Haasan". The Hindu . 13 June 2020. Archived from the original on 21 October 2023. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
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