Mani Ratnam and Kamal Haasan have teamed up after thirty eight years for a biggie titled Thug Life. The film has released today and read our review here.
Story
Rangaraja Shaktiraju(Kamal Hassan) is a local don in Delhi. While escaping the cops, a small boy, Amar(Simbu) saves his life and Shaktiraju adopts him and makes him the king of his empire as time passes by. But the same Amar hatches a plan to kill Shaktiraju to take over his empire. What did Shaktiraju do to save himself and where do Trisha, Ashok Selvam, and Alai Fazal feature in this set up is the basic story of Thug Life.
What about on-screen performances?
Trisha gets a dark role and everyone will feel weird seeing her in such a character which has grey shades.
Abhirami gets a decent role but one feels that she should have got more screen time in the film.
Nasser is good as always and gets a negative role along with Joju George and they are adequate.
Simbu looks handsome in a grey role but one gets a feeling that he has not been used properly. More scenes related to him and Kamal Hassan should have been added.
Lastly, Kamal Haasan is seen in a good role of a gangster and he delivers. It is only because of him that the film looks watchable.
Kamal Haasan is in his elements in the first half and looks top notch. The way he emotes with his eyes is the best part.
Ashok Selvan plays the routine cop and he is okay in his role. Aishwarya Lakshmi is seen in a cameo but sadly her key role is wasted.
What about off screen talents?
Mani Ratnam’s story is old and dated and does not showcase anything new to the audience. He himself has made such films many a times before.
Mani Ratnam sets up the first half in a good way but falters with the second half as the film becomes a plain revenge drama.
The drama expected with all Mani Ratnam films is clearly missing in Thug Life, especially in the second half.
One of the biggest drawbacks of the film is the predictability factor as you know what will next in every scene.
AR Rahman composes the music and his songs are good and sit nicely into the narrative. But his background score is patchy and fails to elevate the proceedings.
The camerawork is top notch and the frames set by Mani Ratnam are amazing, especially the Delhi backdrop.
The screenplay fails to impress as the main thread is left alone and unnecessary action is given importance.
Thug Life is not a breakthrough Mani Ratnam film and makes sense only because of the stars involved in the film.
What’s Hot?
- Kamal Haasan performance
- Action blocks
- Simbu
What’s Not?
- Predictability factor
- Second half
- Dull screenplay
Verdict
Overall, Thug Life does not live up to the mighty expectation created. The film starts on an interesting note but falters in the second half. Give it a shot only if you are a fan of Kamal Haasan and Mani Ratnam. But lower your expectations.
Telugubulletin.com Rating: 2.25/5