Actor Kamal Haasan and filmmaker Mani Ratnam had worked together in 1987 release Nayakan. Now, after 38 years, they have teamed up for Thug Life which is slated to release this week. Today (June 2, 2025), Ratnam celebrates his 69th birthday, and Haasan took to X to pen a heartfelt note for his director.
The actor tweeted, "Happy Birthday, Mani Ratnam. From Nayakan to Thug Life, we’ve journeyed through time together — as colleagues, family, co-dreamers, and above all, as lifelong students of cinema. Through every chapter, your presence has been a source of strength — a mind I turn to in moments of doubt, and a soul deeply attuned to the language of film like few others."

"May your stories keep unfolding, for with every frame, your vision brings depth, beauty, and meaning to cinema. Forever your friend, Kamal Haasan," the tweet further read.
Thug Life Cast
Thug Life is a multi-starrer and apart of Haasan, the film also stars Silambarasan TR, Trisha Krishnan, Ashok Selvan, Aishwarya Lekshmi, Joju George, Ali Fazal, Sanya Malhotra, Rohit Saraf, and others.
Thug Life Release Date
Thug Life is all set to release on June 5, 2025. It is a Tamil film, but it will be dubbed and released in Hindi, Telugu, Malayalam, and Kannada. Meanwhile, the release in Kannada is still not sure as after a controversial statement by Haasan at an event, Kannada oufits have demanded an apology from the actor, and if he doesn't aplogise, they won't allow the film to release in Karnataka.
Meanwhile, reportedly, Haasan has approached the Karnataka High Court for a clear release of his film in the state.