What Does Cinema Mean for Kamal Haasan and Mani Ratnam?

Synopsis
Kamal Haasan reunites with Mani Ratnam after 38 years for 'Thug Life', exploring the evolving language of cinema as a means of communication between the two legends. This collaboration reflects their growth and understanding as artists in a transformed India.
Key Takeaways
- Kamal Haasan and Mani Ratnam reunite after 38 years for 'Thug Life'.
- The film represents a significant evolution in their artistic communication.
- Cinema serves as a language for both artists, transcending traditional forms of dialogue.
- Expect a star-studded cast, enhancing the film's appeal.
- 'Thug Life' is set for a global release on June 5, 2025.
Mumbai, May 26 (NationPress) The iconic figure of Indian cinema, Kamal Haasan, is set to collaborate once again with the renowned director Mani Ratnam after nearly four decades in their upcoming project, 'Thug Life'. The landscape of India has transformed significantly over the past 38 years, with economic liberalization, substantial political shifts, the peak of television, and the diversification of cinema.
Amidst these changes, what remains constant is the evolution of the relationship between Kamal Haasan and Mani Ratnam as creative partners. Cinema, for them, has become an intricate language and a powerful mode of communication.
In an interview with IANS ahead of the release of 'Thug Life', Kamal expressed that while cinema serves as their primary means of communication, he hesitates to label himself as entirely fluent in this language. For him, the journey of an artist is a continuous quest for knowledge and excellence.
Kamal shared with IANS, “Cinema has become a language. We don't know how fluent we are in that, but we speak it. And we are improving. Like, we've lost the slur that we had. We lost that baby talk that we had. All that is gone now. But we are still, I think, work in progress.”
“When I discuss a scene with the director, he instinctively understands the direction it will take. Likewise, when he speaks of a film, I can gauge the mood he intends. We can almost anticipate each other's thoughts, whether it's day or night, or the location of a shoot. Our inspiration stems from the pioneers in our industry,” he added.
The last time these two legends collaborated was on the acclaimed film 'Nayakan'. 'Thug Life' also features a star-studded cast, including Silambarasan TR, Trisha Krishnan, Ashok Selvan, Aishwarya Lekshmi, Joju George, Ali Fazal, Sanya Malhotra, and Rohit Saraf.
Produced by Kamal Haasan's Raaj Kamal Films International and Mani Ratnam's Madras Talkies, among others, 'Thug Life' is slated for a global theatrical release on June 5, 2025.