Kamal Haasan is an Indian film legend. He stays a towering determine in cinema, even after six a long time. His newest movie, Thug Life, directed by Mani Ratnam, bombed on the field workplace. Now streaming on Netflix, the movie’s early digital launch has upset many. Right here’s why.
Kamal Haasan Releases Thug Life On OTT In Simply 4 Weeks Of Theatrical Launch After Promising 8 Weeks
Kamal Haasan proudly introduced that Thug Life would follow an eight-week theatrical window earlier than hitting Netflix. He known as this a “pragmatic” transfer to help Kollywood by giving theatres sufficient time to earn income. This was meant to set an instance within the Tamil movie trade, the place a four-week window is widespread. Nevertheless, Thug Life landed on Netflix simply 4 weeks after its June 5, 2025, theatrical launch, breaking Kamal’s promise. The makers paid a Rs 30 lakh nice to nationwide multiplex chains like PVRInox and Cinepolis to settle the difficulty. This highlights a double commonplace in how Bollywood and Kollywood movies are handled.
Thug Life Tanked At The Field Workplace, Forcing Makers To Launch The Movie Early On Digital
The movie, starring Silambarasan and Trisha Krishnan, was extremely anticipated on account of Kamal Haasan and Mani Ratnam’s reunion after Nayakan. Regardless of the excitement, it earned solely Rs 93 crore worldwide. Unfavorable evaluations criticized its weak screenplay and pacing, inflicting collections to drop sharply after a Rs 36 crore opening day. By the third week, most theatres pulled the movie. This poor efficiency pushed the makers to launch it early on Netflix, hoping to get better losses.
Netflix initially valued Thug Life’s digital rights at Rs 130 crore, however after the field workplace failure, the deal was renegotiated to Rs 110 crore. The early OTT launch dissatisfied these hoping the movie would change how Kollywood approaches streaming platforms.
Multiplex Chains Have Proven Their Seen Bias In the direction of Bollywood Filmmakers
Multiplex chains implement a strict eight-week hole for Hindi movies to guard theatrical earnings, no matter a movie’s success or failure. Bollywood producers face inflexible guidelines, with chains not often permitting early digital releases, even for flops. In distinction, Thug Life’s producers confronted solely a nominal nice, displaying Kollywood movies get extra flexibility. This raises questions on equity throughout industries.
The early OTT launch could give Thug Life an opportunity to succeed in Kamal’s world fanbase. Nevertheless, it weakens his preliminary stand to prioritize theatres. Some name the transfer sensible, citing the movie’s failure, whereas others consider it harms Kollywood’s theatrical ecosystem.
When A Star As Large As Kamal Haasan Surrenders To The Calls for Of Streaming Platforms, It Is A Purple Alert
This isn’t the primary time Kamal’s group has damaged the eight-week rule. His earlier movie Indian 2 additionally hit OTT early, suggesting a sample. The choice displays the rising affect of streaming platforms on Kollywood, the place field workplace flops push producers to prioritize digital income over theatrical commitments. This shift challenges the trade’s conventional mannequin, as OTT platforms supply a security web however cut back theatre footfall. For Kamal, a veteran who has advocated cinema, this transfer appears like a give up to market pressures, leaving followers and theatre homeowners questioning Kollywood’s future.
What do you concentrate on Thug Life’s early digital launch? Keep tuned to Pinkvilla for extra updates on Kamal Haasan and Thug Life.
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