Daijiworld Media Network – Chennai

Chennai, May 25: After a gap of nearly four decades, Kamal Haasan and Mani Ratnam—the duo that gave Tamil cinema the iconic Nayagan—have reunited for Thug Life, sparking a wave of excitement among fans across Tamil Nadu.

From Chennai’s bustling junctions to the serene bends leading to Kodaikanal, posters of Thug Life have taken over the landscape, signalling a grand cinematic return. With the teaser, trailer, and audio tracks already released online, anticipation has hit fever pitch.

The nostalgia surrounding Nayagan—released in 1987 and inspired by both the life of underworld don Varadarajan Mudaliar and The Godfather—has intensified. Produced by Muktha Srinivasan, the film is still regarded as a milestone in Indian cinema, with Kamal Haasan’s powerful performance earning him the National Award for Best Actor. The film’s realistic portrayal of crime, human dignity, and moral complexity made it a cult classic.

“Neenga nallavara kettavara?” (Are you a good man or a bad man?)—the haunting question from the climax—remains etched in Tamil pop culture.

The Kamal–Mani Ratnam bond only deepened over time, especially after Mani married Kamal’s niece and actress Suhasini. Now, with Thug Life, that creative collaboration is being rekindled, much to the delight of cinephiles.

Thug Life is slated to release on June 5, and fans are already drawing comparisons with Nayagan. Songs from the older film, including the immortal ‘Thenpandi Cheemayile’ and ‘Nila Adhu Vanathumele’, are once again resonating through playlists, adding to the momentum.

As Tamil cinema braces for the return of two legends, expectations are sky-high—can Thug Life recreate the magic of Nayagan? Time will tell, but the buzz is unmistakably alive.