'Thug Life' Drops Hard After Hit Start, OTT Delay Confirmed

Kamal Haasan's latest action drama Thug Life, directed by Mani Ratnam, has witnessed a steep decline in box office performance after an impressive start. Though the film opened to Rs 15.5 crore on Day 1, the first week's cumulative earnings stood at Rs 44 crore. Since then, daily revenue has consistently declined, with the movie collecting only Rs 30 lakh on Tuesday.

As of now, Thug Life has recorded a total domestic earning of approximately Rs 47.28 crore. Industry analysts cite weak word-of-mouth and audience fatigue as major contributors to the rapid fall in footfalls.

There has been growing speculation about an early release on Netflix, the film's digital partner. Reports previously hinted at a June 27 premiere. However, new information confirms that Thug Life will not be available on OTT before the mandatory eight-week theatrical window is completed.

Sources close to the production clarified that the agreement with Netflix follows standard industry protocols, which prohibits digital streaming before the specified timeframe. Since the movie also released in Hindi, it falls under stricter OTT release rules, similar to those enforced during Kamal Haasan’s Indian 2/Hindustani 2 release controversy.

Haasan had addressed the OTT release strategy during promotions, stating, “This isn’t a negotiation. It’s a structured plan to benefit both theatres and platforms.” He emphasized that adhering to the eight-week window strengthens the theatrical ecosystem.

The film is also set to open in Karnataka following a Supreme Court directive, after delays caused by regional controversies. This move is expected to extend the film’s theatrical run slightly, pushing any digital release into July.