‘A Mani Ratnam film isn’t an everyday offer...’ Ali Fazal on joining Kamal Haasan’s ‘Thug Life’

Acclaimed actor Ali Fazal is officially making his debut in South Indian cinema, and he’s doing it with a dream team. The Mirzapur and Victoria & Abdul star has joined Mani Ratnam’s highly anticipated pan-India film Thug Life, which is headlined by Kamal Haasan.

Slated for a grand theatrical release on June 5, the film will be launched across five languages—Tamil, Hindi, Telugu, Malayalam, and Kannada—underscoring its wide multilingual reach. With a powerhouse cast drawn from across Indian film industries, Thug Life is already being seen as a major cinematic event.

Ali Fazal shared that he didn’t need a second to say yes to the project. “There are some calls you get in your life that you know instantly are meant to change the course of your journey — this was one of them,” he said. “When you hear the name Mani Ratnam, you don’t just think of cinema — you think of legacy, storytelling that’s timeless and deeply human. I didn’t have to think for a moment before saying yes to Thug Life.”

He also expressed how special it is to be working with a legend like Kamal Haasan, describing the opportunity as rare and unforgettable. Fazal highlighted the ambitious scale of the film, which brings together talent from different cinematic traditions and languages to tell a large-scale story.

“It’s the kind of ambitious, large-scale storytelling I’ve always wanted to be part of. I feel incredibly honoured and excited to step into this universe,” he added.

The film is being helmed by Mani Ratnam, whose name is synonymous with visually rich and emotionally layered cinema. With Kamal Haasan in the lead, Thug Life promises to offer intense performances, a gripping narrative, and expansive visuals that span languages and geographies.

Ali Fazal’s entry into the South marks a meaningful crossover moment. Already recognised internationally for his work in projects like Death on the Nile and Furious 7, his move into a Mani Ratnam production reinforces the growing trend of pan-India storytelling. As anticipation builds, audiences across the country are eager to see what new dimension Fazal will bring to this cinematic universe.