Kamal Haasan’s Thug Life Could Hit Netflix Sooner Than Planned
After weak reviews and poor box office, Thug Life could arrive on OTT platforms earlier than expected, offering fans a quicker chance to watch.
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The Tamil action-drama Thug Life, featuring Kamal Haasan and Silambarasan TR, might arrive on OTT platforms significantly earlier than initially planned. The movie hit theaters on June 5, 2025, with an anticipated eight-week theatrical window before its digital debut on Netflix. However, recent updates suggest this schedule could be shortened to just four weeks.
Industry sources indicate that the decision stems from the film’s underwhelming performance at the box office and lukewarm critical reception. Netflix is reportedly reconsidering the timing to capitalize on digital viewership while interest remains.
Initially, Kamal Haasan described the eight-week delay as a “pragmatic” approach to maximize theatrical revenue. But with the film struggling to gain traction among audiences, a quicker transition to streaming may help recover losses. Neither the streaming service nor the film’s producers have issued an official announcement regarding the revised release date.
Directed by Mani Ratnam, Thug Life centers on Rangaraaya Sakthivel (Kamal Haasan), an aging mafia boss entangled in a gritty web of power struggles. After a violent confrontation in Delhi, Sakthivel takes in a young boy named Amaran (Silambarasan TR), setting the stage for a tense, layered narrative involving loyalty and betrayal.
Despite the film’s high-profile cast and production, Thug Life has failed to impress critics and audiences alike. ETimes rated it 2 out of 5 stars, citing the story’s uneven pacing and disjointed subplots. A review highlighted that the movie loses focus in the latter half, with key characters and plotlines sidelined. Scenes featuring Sakthivel surviving multiple attacks stretched believability, and the antagonist’s motivations came off as predictable. Even AR Rahman’s background score reportedly lacked the usual engagement, adding to the overall disconnect.
Visually, the film remains polished, showcasing Ravi K. Chandran’s cinematography and the suspense surrounding certain characters. These elements, along with the looming confrontation between Sakthivel and Amaran, maintain viewer interest amid the narrative flaws.
This setback follows Kamal Haasan’s earlier release, Indian 2, directed by Shankar, which also did not meet audience expectations.
Fans awaiting Thug Life’s OTT release will have to stay tuned for official confirmation. The digital debut, if expedited, could arrive on Netflix within the coming weeks, changing the viewing timeline substantially.
