Thug Life: Will Mani Ratnam-Kamal Haasan’s Magic Work Once Again?

Multifaceted Kamal Haasan launched the first song of Thug Life written by him. The song titled Jingucchhan sounded Chinese to many of the pan India gathering of Journos. Kamal with his inimitable spontaneity started off in Tamil, quite expecting a mild protest…quickly sauntered to English, the “The Link Language” of India. Thug Life is a collaboration of ace director Mani Ratnam and Ulaga Nayagan (world hero) Kamal, after a gap of 35 years. They worked together for the iconic classic, Nayakan released in 1987. Kamal himself wondered why there was this hiatus? Before any surmises, he skipped on to actor Abirami (his one-time heroine), who had talked about being his ardent fan from age 11. A crestfallen Kamal gently chided her “with Trisha on the stage, you need not have referred to my age”. He built up the narrative to interesting highlights, especially the comparison of his two directors …late K Balachander and Mani Ratnam. Not just Kamal’s engaging oratory but Simbu’s compelling presence in a chequered suit and a luxurious man bun further added to his star personality when he openly vouched for Kamal as his Guru. Kamal for his part retaliated that through the movie he had no chance to say I love you to either Trisha or Abirami. Trisha and Simbu are paired after a 15-year gap. As always, a pragmatic Kamal said “now we wait for your verdict, after doing our best”. More memes of Thug Life to blow Tupac Shakur’s creation?