Thug Life (2025 film)

The film was officially announced in November 2022 under the tentative title KH234, as it is Haasan's 234th film as a lead actor, and the official title was revealed a year later. Principal photography took place from January to late 2024 across Chennai, Kanchipuram, Pondicherry), New Delhi, and parts of North India. The film has music composed by A. R. Rahman, cinematography handled by Ravi K. Chandran, and editing by A. Sreekar Prasad.

Development

In late 2002, Kamal Haasan unveiled plans for a film project titled Moo, which he intended to co-direct alongside filmmakers Mani Ratnam and Singeetam Srinivasa Rao. The screenplay was to explore the intricacies of the Rashomon effect, presenting audiences with three distinct interpretations of a single incident. However, Ratnam opted out of the project, citing his commitments to Aayutha Ezhuthu (2004), which used a similar narrative device. Undeterred by Ratnam's departure, Haasan proceeded with the concept, resulting in the creation of Virumaandi (2004). This film, centred on the interrogation of two prison inmates, retained the thematic essence of Moo. Following a decade, in late 2012, Hollywood producer Barrie M. Osborne had approached to make Moo into an English film. The actor announced the project in February 2013, but it was later shelved.

Development

Haasan, who did a voice-over for Ratnam's Ponniyin Selvan: I in 2022, announced on 6 November that he would work with Ratnam again on a project after the Ponniyin Selvan film series. The project was funded by their companies—Raaj Kamal Films International, Madras Talkies—and Udhayanidhi Stalin's Red Giant Movies, which also co-produced Haasan's Indian 2 (2024). Tentatively titled Kamal Haasan 234, it marks a full-fledged reunion of the actor and director after 37 years since the release of their cult film Nayakan (1987). Haasan stated that they were taking time with the development and pre-production because he and Ratnam want to make the film as strong as Nayakan. Stunt choreography duo Anbariv, who became involved in the project in October 2023, stated that the film would be an action film, and a few days later, it was touted as a gangster action drama. The film's official title, Thug Life, was announced on 6 November 2023, the eve of Haasan's birthday. It was the first instance where a Ratnam film has been titled in English; his previous ventures were titled in regional languages.

Thug Life (2025 film)