Mani Ratnam’s much-anticipated Tamil action drama Thug Life, starring Kamal Haasan, has received a lukewarm response at the domestic box office, managing to earn just ₹36.90 crore in its first four days. To add to the film’s woes, it remains banned in Karnataka following a controversial comment made by the lead actor.

Released on 5 June, Thug Life marks the reunion of the legendary director with Kamal Haasan, decades after their iconic collaboration in Nayakan (1987). Despite a stellar ensemble cast that includes Silambarasan, Trisha, Nassar, Abhirami, and Ashok Selvan, the film opened largely to poor reviews, with critics pointing to a tardy screenplay and what many have described as lacklustre execution.

After collecting ₹30.40 crore over its opening weekend, the film managed to add ₹6.50 crore on Monday, offering a glimmer of hope. However, continued negative reviews may hamper its long-term box office potential.

The film’s release has been overshadowed by controversy. Haasan’s remarks suggesting that Kannada originated from Tamil provoked backlash, leading to the Karnataka ban. The actor, known for his forthright views, refused to apologise for his comments.

Thug Life now faces the challenge of sustaining momentum and reviving interest if it hopes to reach the profit zone in most regions. Box office trackers are closely monitoring its performance to determine whether it will turn into a sleeper hit or a damp squib. (With inputs from Agencies)