Sahar Hassan

Watched my first-ever FDFS at 2:30 AM, and what a ride it was! Thug Life brings together some of the industry's finest actors and technicians, and that truly reflected in the overall theatre experience and it is immersive, intense, and technically rich. Going in with minimal expectations because of current overall cinema quality across the globe (When I went to the cinema after nearly 2 years, other movie posters were of Jurassic World and Final Destination and so on.. Man, even in the age of ChatGPT, people still struggles with original thoughts), I found the film to be satisfactory, and at times quite gripping. The cinematography deserves a special mention — it was absolutely brilliant, capturing both mood and movement with finesse. The visuals alone kept me hooked even when the narrative took familiar turns. By the way, I like Ravi K Chandran's works. Performance-wise, Joju George stood out with his raw, grounded portrayal, while Silambarasan (Simbu) carried his role with a unique blend of swag and emotional depth. Abhirami too impressed with her poised and impactful screen presence. Together, they anchored the film with solid performances. Of course, this is not the best of Kamal Haasan both acting and writing wise. That said, with such a powerhouse of experienced filmmakers behind it, I had hoped for a more compelling climax. The story leaned heavily on tried-and-tested tropes, and the ending felt a bit too safe for a movie titled Thug Life. A project of this scale could’ve really soared with a few more unpredictable twists and a jaw-dropping finale — something that lingers after you leave the theatre. Overall, Thug Life gives a good cinematic experience, especially on the big screen. It's a film worth watching once for the performances and visuals. But it stops just short of being truly memorable.