The trailer for Kamal Haasan’s much-awaited film Thug Life, directed by Mani Ratnam, premiered on Saturday, stirring a range of reactions across social media. While many celebrated the return of the iconic Nayakan duo, others were unsettled by the romantic scenes featuring the 70-year-old actor alongside significantly younger actresses.
A Reddit post, highlighting Haasan’s onscreen romance with Trisha Krishnan (42) and Abhirami (42), went viral. Captioned “Noo god please no,” the post ignited a heated conversation about the noticeable age gap between the lead and his co-stars. Comments ranged from sarcasm to discomfort, with users noting, “Only 30 years apart. Practically soulmates!” and “Trisha is just 3 years older than Shruti Haasan btw.”
Despite the controversy, the trailer was praised for its gritty storytelling, visual grandeur, and the compelling narrative of a gangster (Haasan) guiding a young protege (played by Silambarasan) through the underworld.
Thug Life marks the first collaboration between Kamal Haasan and Mani Ratnam in nearly four decades, following their 1987 classic Nayakan. The film spans several decades, hinting at a layered crime saga.
The ensemble cast includes Sanya Malhotra, Ashok Selvan, Aishwarya Lekshmi, Joju George, Nassar, Pankaj Tripathi, Ali Fazal, Rohit Saraf, and Vaiyapuri. The film is set for a theatrical release on June 5.
Whether Thug Life will rise above the age-gap criticism remains to be seen, but it has undeniably stirred public interest and debate.
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