Actor Ali Fazal, who recently stepped into Tamil cinema with Mani Ratnam’s gangster drama Thug Life, has addressed the criticism he received for his role in the film, which ultimately failed to resonate at the box office.

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter India, Fazal acknowledged the backlash surrounding his involvement but remained gracious about his experience on set. Despite the film’s commercial underperformance, the actor expressed admiration for both director Mani Ratnam and veteran actor Kamal Haasan, who played the lead role.

“I had an extremely pleasant experience working on Thug Life. Mani sir and Kamal sir were both very welcoming,” said Fazal. “I now understand which scenes remained and which didn’t make the final cut. But I would never question Mani sir’s broader vision. A lot changed during the production process, and I respect that. For me, that chapter is closed.”

Thug Life marked a significant collaboration, reuniting Haasan and Ratnam after their iconic 1987 film Nayakan. Expectations were high, but the film failed to strike the same chord with audiences and critics alike. Released on June 5, the gangster drama bombed at the box office.

Adding to the film’s woes, it became entangled in controversy before its release following comments made by Kamal Haasan about the Kannada language. The remarks sparked outrage in Karnataka further affecting the film’s box office performance. 

Despite the setback, Fazal remains hopeful about future opportunities in Tamil cinema, particularly with Ratnam. “Working with Mani sir was a privilege. If given the chance again, I would definitely join hands with him,” he shared.

Ali Fazal is committed to meaningful collaborations, as he remains a force to reckon with in the film industry. (With inputs from Agencies)