The year 2025 proved to be a challenging period for Tamil cinema's big-budget spectacles, with the most significant disappointment emanating from two of its most revered icons. The highly anticipated gangster action drama Thug Life, starring Kamal Haasan and directed by Mani Ratnam, turned out to be a monumental box office failure, marking the second consecutive commercial disaster for the veteran actor.
A Costly Double Whammy for the Legend
The financial figures reveal a stark story of underperformance. Thug Life, mounted on a massive reported budget of Rs 200 crore, managed to gross a mere Rs 97.25 crore worldwide, as per industry tracker Sacnilk. This came on the heels of Kamal Haasan's previous venture, Indian 2. Directed by S Shankar and produced in 2024, that film was made on a budget of Rs 250 crore but grossed only Rs 148.83 crore globally.
Combined, the last two films headlined by Kamal Haasan carried a staggering budget of Rs 450 crore but earned only about Rs 246 crore, recovering just over 50% of their investment. This double blow has significantly impacted the actor's market standing, especially since he has led only three films since 2020.
From Blockbuster to Back-to-Back Bombs
The failure of Thug Life is particularly poignant given its legacy. The film marked the reunion of Kamal Haasan and Mani Ratnam after over three decades, their last collaboration being the classic Nayakan in 1987. Despite the star power and directorial pedigree, the film failed to resonate with audiences and even core fans, quickly becoming fodder for online trolls.
The opening day numbers highlighted the lack of audience excitement. While Indian 2 netted Rs 25.6 crore domestically on day one, Thug Life's opening was significantly lower at Rs 15.5 crore. This downturn occurred in a year where several other A-list Tamil star vehicles like Coolie, Vidaamuyarchi, and Retro also underperformed, while smaller films found greater success.
The Silver Lining and the Road Ahead
This recent slump stands in sharp contrast to Kamal Haasan's earlier successes in the same period. His 2022 film Vikram, directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj and produced by his own Raaj Kamal Films International, was a colossal blockbuster. It earned a whopping Rs 414.43 crore against a budget of Rs 120 crore. Furthermore, his extended cameo in the 2024 pan-India hit Kalki 2898 AD contributed to the film's historic Rs 1,042.25 crore global gross.
However, the poor performance of the two films where he played the lead role—both co-produced by his banner—has undeniably created a setback. The industry is now keenly watching to see how the celebrated actor-filmmaker, widely regarded as a visionary, plans to navigate this phase and reclaim his box office prowess. The pressure is on for his next choice of project to reverse this unexpected trend.
