Director Mani Ratnam and veteran actor Kamal Haasan.
| Photo Credit: PTI
Veteran actor Kamal Haasan penned a birthday note to director Mani Ratnam, ahead of the release of their highly-anticipated movie Thug Life. The gangster drama, which reunites the two after the iconic Nayakan (1987), is set to hit the screens worldwide on June 05, 2025.
“From Nayakan to Thug Life, we have journeyed through time together, as colleagues, family, co-dreamers, and above all, as lifelong students of cinema,” the actor wrote on X (formerly Twitter). Mani Ratnam, known for cult-classics such as Roja (1992), Bombay (1995), Iruvar (1997), and Kannathil Muthamittal (2002), turned 69 on June 02, 2025 (Monday).
Thug Life also stars Silambarasan TR, Trisha, Ashok Selvan, Nasser and Joju George. A R Rahman is the music composer of the movie while Ravi K Chandran is the cinematographer. Kamal Haasan further wrote, “Through every chapter, your presence has been a source of strength — a mind I turn to in moments of doubt, and a soul deeply attuned to the language of film like few others.
May your stories keep unfolding, for with every frame, your vision brings depth, beauty, and meaning to cinema.” Thug Life is produced by Kamal Haasan’s Raaj Kamal Film International and Madras Talkies, helmed by Mani Ratnam.
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Nayakan, the maiden collaboration between Mani Ratnam and Kamal Haasan, is included in the Time’s list of the All-Time 100 Best Films. The film, apart from being India official entry to Oscars, won the National Film Awards for Best Cinematography (PC Sreeram), Best Actor in a Leading Role (Kamal Haasan) and Best Art Direction (Thota Tharani).
Published – June 02, 2025 05:53 pm IST
