The
edge-of-the-seat
action
is
interspersed
with
moments
of
intense,
raw
emotions
of
romance,
trust
and
betrayal,
and
keeps
you
entertained
and
waiting
for
the
next
big
reveal,
observes
Divya
Nair.
Master
storyteller
Mani
Ratnam
reunites
with
Kamal
Haasan
after
38
years
for
Thug
Life.
‘This
is
a
game
between
death
and
me,’
the
star
laments
as
we
are
introduced
to
his
Rangaraya
Sakthivel,
a
don,
thug
or
yakuza
(Japanese
for
Mafia),
who
challenges
his
rivals
in
the
present
day.
In
a
classic
move,
Kamal
retains
the
name
Sathvel,
his
iconic
don
character
from
Nayakan.
The
year
is
1994.
Thug
Life
opens
with
a
police
encounter
in
Old
Delhi
orchestrated
by
Sadanand
(Mahesh
Manjrekar)
and
his
gang.
In
the
tussle
that
ensues,
Naseer
shoots
an
innocent
newspaper
vendor.
Out
of
remorse,
Rangaraya
Sakthivel
adopts
the
vendor’s
son
Amaran
(Simbu),
who
would
later
plot
to
kill
him
and
take
on
his
empire.
The
screenplay
and
storytelling
is
intense
and
gripping
so
far.
The
edge-of-the-seat
action
is
interspersed
with
moments
of
intense,
raw
emotions
of
romance,
trust
and
betrayal,
and
keeps
you
entertained
and
waiting
for
the
next
big
reveal.
Kamal
Haasan
is
charming
in
his
young
as
well
as
the
old
characters.
The
supporting
cast,
including
Joju
George
and
Ashok
Selvan,
are
in
top
form.
Watch
out
for
the
full
review
in
just
a
bit.
Thug
Life
Review
Rediff
Rating:
