Our intention wasn’t to recreate ‘Nayakan’: Mani Ratnam says misunderstanding led to ‘Thug Life’ flop

Renowned filmmaker Mani Ratnam has issued an apology to fans who were left disappointed by the performance of his latest film Thug Life, starring Kamal Haasan in the lead role. In a recent interview with a Telugu media outlet, Ratnam expressed regret that the film failed to meet the lofty expectations of fans who had anticipated a cinematic experience on par with his 1987 cult classic Nayakan.

“I apologise to those who expected another film like Nayakan. That was never our intention. We wanted to offer a new experience, something different. Unfortunately, fans expected something else entirely — that was a misunderstanding,” Ratnam said.

Thug Life marked the reunion of Mani Ratnam and Kamal Haasan after 37 years, their last collaboration being the critically acclaimed Nayakan, which has long held a revered place in Indian cinema. Naturally, the announcement of their reunion generated considerable buzz and sky-high expectations among cinema lovers.

However, Thug Life has reportedly underperformed at the box office, collecting close to ₹60 crore so far — a figure seen as disappointing given the film’s star power and promotional build-up. Fans have voiced strong dissatisfaction, criticising the film for lacking the engaging narrative and cinematic depth typically associated with a Mani Ratnam production. Many felt that the film failed to captivate audiences, with some critics noting that it lacked the emotional intensity and character depth of his earlier works.

In light of the backlash, Ratnam’s statement reflects a rare moment of candour from the celebrated director, acknowledging the gap between audience expectations and creative intent.