Before the buzz surrounding Thug Life took center stage, it was Vikram that reignited Kamal Haasan’s magic on the silver screen. Released in June 2022 and helmed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, Vikram wasn’t just a comeback—it was a full-blown phenomenon.

Marking Kamal’s return to cinemas after four years, the high-octane thriller was part of the Lokesh Cinematic Universe, joining the dots with Kaithi. With a dynamic trio—Kamal Haasan, Vijay Sethupathi, and Fahadh Faasil—the film offered taut storytelling, stylized action, and a pulsating Anirudh Ravichander score, earning critical acclaim and fan frenzy alike.

Box office numbers mirrored the buzz. Vikram raked in a massive ₹450+ crore globally, including ₹270 crore from India alone. It became the top-grossing Tamil film of 2022 and the highest earner in Kamal Haasan’s career at that point. It also shattered records in Tamil Nadu and performed phenomenally in overseas markets like the US, UAE, and Malaysia. Even today, it remains among the top five Tamil grossers of all time.

Now, with Thug Life—a reunion with Mani Ratnam after 35 years—expectations are soaring again. The teaser featuring a fierce Kamal stirred excitement, and with an ensemble cast that includes Silambarasan TR, Trisha, and Jayam Ravi, this gangster epic is poised to push new boundaries.

Still, it was Vikram that lit the fuse—and reminded the world that Kamal Haasan remains a box office force.