Nayagan To VTV: Interesting Reunions In Mani Ratnam-Kamal Haasan's 'Thug Life' (Image-X/ikamalhaasan)
Thug Life, the upcoming gangster film by legendary director Mani Ratnam, brings its own flavors of excitement to the fans. The crime drama, which unites the prominent thugs of the Tamil film industry like actors Kamal Haasan, STR, Trisha, Abhirami, Nasser, Joju George, and Ashok Selvan, has some unique factors that will surprise the audience.
In a wider perspective, director Mani Ratnam’s Thug Life is all about some heartwarming reunions. The film will be offering not only a high-octane entertainer but also a sense of nostalgic connections, especially for the 90s kids. Here are some interesting reunions that Thug Life brings on screens.
Nayagan: Mani Ratnam—Kamal Haasan
One of the anticipated factors about Thug Life is the reunion of the two visionaries of Indian cinema—Kamal Haasan with the ace filmmaker Mani Ratnam. The duo who created history in Indian cinema with their 1987 epic drama, Nayakan, is collaborating again with Thug Life after three decades. The hitmakers of the 80s, who chiselled the perfect gangster like Velu Naicker in Nayakan, are now creating a powerful thug in their upcoming venture.
Nayakan, released in 1987, is inspired by the life of the Bombay underworld don Varadarajan Mudaliar and the American film The Godfather (1972). Emerging as a commercial success , the film won national awards for best actor, best cinematography and best art direction at the 35th National Film Awards.
Notably, Nayakan was India’s official submission for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film in 1987 at the 60th Academy Awards; however, it was not shortlisted among the final nominees.
Virumaandi: Kamal Haasan- Abhirami
Thug Life also reunites the evergreen duo of Virumaandi, Abhirami and Kamal Haasan. The duo who won hearts with songs like Onnavida, Sandiyare Sandiyare, and other evergreen hits is now collaborating again in Mani Ratnam’s Thug Life, after 2 decades.
Virumaandi is a 2004-released action drama written and directed by actor Kamal Haasan. The film revolves around the interview of two prison inmates: firstly, Kothala Thevar (Pasupathy), who has a life sentence, and secondly, Virumaandi (Kamal Haasan), who is sentenced to be hanged, experiments with the Rashomon effect in its narrative. The segments portrayed by Abhirami and Kamal Haasan in the film hold a special fanbase to date.
Chekka Chivantha Vaanam: Mani Ratnam-STR
This film is something special for actor Simbu. The renowned actor who began his cinema journey as a child artist has collaborated for the first time with his guru and the legend Kamal Haasan. Thug Life will also mark his second collaboration with the ace director Mani Ratnam after their 2018 gangster film Chivantha Vaanam.
Referring to Thug Life as a “dream project,” Simbu, during the audio launch, said, “This film is like a dream for me. We all watch Mani sir’s films, listen to Rahman sir’s music and wish to be a part of their films. The fact that I got to act alongside Kamal sir, my onscreen guru, Mani sir and Rahman sir in one film is a big blessing.”
VTV reunion: STR-Trisha
Along with other surprises, Thug Life also brings the awaited collab of the Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa duo Simbu and Trisha. Bringing the same magic again after 14 years, both the actors are reuniting for this Mani Ratnam directorial.
About this reunion, the GBU actress said, “Acting with Simbu — everyone always keeps asking when we will work together again after Vinnaithaandi Varuvaaya. You will see a little bit of our magic in this.”
Thug Life
Directed by Mani Ratnam and produced by Raaj Kamal Films International, Madras Talkies, and Red Giant Movies, Thug Life is already touted as a landmark in Indian cinema. The recently released first single of the film Jinguchaa, , composed by Oscar winner AR Rahman, is currently creating waves on the internet. The film is scheduled to hit theaters on June 5.
Alongside Kamal Haasan, the film stars Silambarasan, Trisha Krishnan, Ashok Selvan, Joju George, Abhirami, Nassar, Ali Fazal, Pankaj Tripathi, Sanya Malhotra, Rohit Saraf, and Aishwarya Lekshmi, among others.
