Thug Life Overseas Box Office Collection Opening Day: Kamal Haasan-Mani Ratnam Movie Mints ₹24 Crore Abroad

Thug Life Overseas Box Office Collection: Mani Ratnam's latest directorial, Thug Life, starring Kamal Haasan in the lead, opened to a strong international presence despite mixed reviews from critics and audiences. According to film industry tracker AB George, the gangster action drama grossed $2.8 million (approximately ₹24 crore) overseas on its opening day, including premieres.

The film was released worldwide on June 5, 2025, and was distributed in international markets by Home Screen Entertainment. With an ensemble cast that includes Silambarasan, Trisha Krishnan, Aishwarya Lekshmi, Joju George, Ashok Selvan, and Ali Fazal, Thug Life has generated considerable attention due to the reunion of Kamal Haasan and Mani Ratnam after a gap of close to 40 years. Their last collaboration was the acclaimed Nayakan (1987), a film now considered a cult movie.

Strong Overseas Opening Despite Mixed Reviews

Thug Life was marketed as a high-octane gangster drama and filmed across diverse locations, including Chennai, Kanchipuram, Pondicherry, New Delhi, and parts of northern India. It is Kamal Haasan's 234th film as a lead actor, which gave it a symbolic weight among his fan base. The story follows estranged siblings, Amaran and Chandra, and the turbulent world of a mafia empire led by Sakthivel (played by Kamal Haasan). Themes of betrayal, vengeance, and familial ties drive the narrative.

Despite the pre-release hype and anticipation, the film opened to largely negative reviews in India, with critics highlighting issues in writing and emotional depth. However, this has not dampened its initial overseas performance. The $2.8 million figure reflects a wide international release and shows the continued drawing power of Kamal Haasan among the diaspora audiences.

The film features music by A.R. Rahman, cinematography by Ravi K. Chandran, and editing by A. Sreekar Prasad. Behind the scenes, the production brought together experienced professionals such as action choreographer Anbariv and production designer Sharmishta Roy. Kamal Haasan also took a hands-on approach with the screenplay, co-writing it alongside Mani Ratnam.

Whether Thug Life can sustain this momentum over the weekend and withstand the mixed critical reception remains to be seen. Its performance in key domestic markets like Tamil Nadu will also be crucial in determining the film's overall box office fate.