MUMBAI: At a spectacular audio launch event held in Chennai for the much-anticipated film Thug Life, celebrated filmmaker Mani Ratnam took a moment to express deep gratitude to his long-time collaborator, the maestro A.R. Rahman, whose music he credited for breathing life into his cinema.
“Thank you, Rahman. You make my film alive. Thank you very much,” said Ratnam, with emotion resonating through his words. Speaking to a packed auditorium filled with fans, media, and industry insiders, the legendary director shared an anecdote that underscored Rahman’s sensitivity and creative generosity.
“I was telling him how nowadays it’s difficult to keep full songs in cinema due to short attention spans and changing narratives,” Ratnam revealed, referring to the evolving dynamics of storytelling and audience engagement in modern cinema. But what happened next was vintage Rahman — an artist who listens not just with his ears, but with his soul.
“After listening, he changed the number of songs from originally 5 to 9,” Ratnam disclosed, drawing applause from the crowd. “Thank you, Rahman. Thank you very much. You make my film come alive.”
Their partnership, which began with Roja in 1992, has spanned over three decades, producing some of Indian cinema’s most iconic soundtracks — from Bombay and Dil Se to Guru and Ponniyin Selvan. This moment on stage was not just a tribute, but a reflection of a creative synergy that continues to evolve with time, always grounded in mutual respect and trust.
At a time when many filmmakers are forced to trim musical sequences in favor of tighter runtimes, Mani Ratnam and A.R. Rahman’s decision to expand the sonic landscape of Thug Life is both bold and beautiful. It is a reminder that music, when composed with heart and woven thoughtfully into narrative, doesn’t just accompany a film — it elevates it.
Produced by Kamal Haasan’s Raaj Kamal Films International, Mani Ratnam’s Madras Talkies, R. Mahendran, and Siva Ananth, Thug Life boasts an ensemble cast of stellar performers. Kamal Haasan leads the film as Rangaraaya Sakthivel Naicker, alongside Silambarasan TR, Trisha Krishnan, Ashok Selvan, Aishwarya Lekshmi, Joju George, Ali Fazal, Sanya Malhotra, and Rohit Saraf, among others. With Mani Ratnam at the helm and A.R. Rahman's music, Thug Life is all set for a worldwide theatrical release on June 5, 2025.
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