The world awaited with bated breath as Kamal Haasan reunited with director Mani Ratnam for “Thug Life,” their first collaboration since the iconic Nayakan. With a reported budget hovering around ₹200 crore and a cast featuring big names like Trisha Krishnan and Silambarasan TR, expectations were sky-high. But by Day 6, cracks began to show—screen counts plunged, occupancy dipped, and the film earned just ₹1.75 crore, signalling a growing woe at the box office.
Day 6 Snapshot: Shows Halved, Collections Shrink
Over 3,000 shows were pulled in just six days—a steep decline from 4,917 shows on opening day to around 2,089 by Day 6.Analyzing the Slide: Why the Sudden Fall?
Underwhelming Word-of-Mouth
Critics and audiences alike pointed out the film’s predictable narrative arc and a lack of emotional depth, especially after the high standards set by Nayakan. Despite praise for performances and technical finesse, overall reception was lukewarm.
Intense Competition
Released alongside Bollywood's Housefull 5, which earned ₹10.75 crore on its Tuesday (Day 5)—a figure nearly six times “Thug Life’s” Day 6 numbers—the Tamil thriller struggled to stand its ground.
Regional Release Troubles
The film wasn’t released in Karnataka, partly due to Kamal’s controversial remarks—a decision that cost the film roughly 7% of its potential gross in the region.
Budget Pressures
With an estimated ₹200 crore budget, even global earnings crossing ₹80 crore (as one report suggests) are well short of profitability. The film may never recoup its investments from theatrical alone .
Context: Kamal‑Mani Collaborations in Perspective
| Film |
Opening Day |
Day 6 Total |
|---|---|---|
| Nayakan (1987) | NA | Cult status, strong long-run |
| Indian 2 (2023)** | ₹25.6 cr | Struggled, flawed momentum |
| Vikram (2023) | ₹32 cr Mon | Blockbuster |
| Thug Life (2025) | ₹15.5 cr | ₹40.95 cr by Day 6 |
Indian 2 and others are not Day 6 exacts, but give trend context.
Thug Life’s ₹40.95 crore over six days places it closer to Indian 2 than Vikram—a red flag for future holdability.
What Lies Ahead?
Weekend Survival or Early Exit?
To claw back, Thug Life needs a strong second weekend. Without blockbuster-like momentum, that seems unlikely.
OTT Release Looming
Reports hint at a 4-week theatrical window before the film hits OTT—shorter than the originally promised 8 weeks—which suggests makers are prepping damage control .
A High-Stakes Underdog Turned Cautionary Tale
"Thug Life" began with fanfare, big names, and high hopes. By Day 6, however, it confronted stark realities: collapsing screen counts, underwhelming occupancy, and tepid earnings (just ₹1.75 crore in a single day). Despite its pedigree, it currently trails behind profits and momentum, echoing similar woes faced by Indian 2.
Its fate now hinges on whether it can bounce back in the coming weekend—or accept a premature move to OTT. For an industry teeming with big-ticket projects, Thug Life serves as a lesson: star names and major budgets alone can’t guarantee box-office triumph—audience connection must follow.
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