Inside Thug Life: Kamal Haasan’s Profit Bet and Trisha’s 12 Cr Raise
From bold salary moves to the Karnataka ban, here’s everything you need to know about Thug Life’s high-stakes gamble and industry shake-up.
When Thug Life rolled into theatres on June 5, it wasn’t just a movie — it was a moment. A cinematic reunion between Kamal Haasan and Mani Ratnam after nearly 37 years, backed by a towering budget and a cast that reads like a who’s who of Tamil cinema. But in true desi drama fashion, what followed was not a smooth blockbuster run but a tangled web of controversies, bold financial bets, and a ban that turned box-office predictions on their head.
Kamal Haasan Takes the Risk, Skips the Cheque
If there’s one move that turned heads in the industry, it was Kamal Haasan’s decision to waive his acting fee. Instead of a fixed payment, Haasan has opted for a profit-sharing model, as has director Mani Ratnam, since both are co-producers of Thug Life. It’s a move that reeks of confidence—or maybe calculated risk.
For context, Haasan is no stranger to betting on himself. He’s done it before, most notably with Vishwaroopam. But this time, with box office numbers under pressure and regional politics making headlines, it’s a financial choice that’s teetering on a knife’s edge.
Trisha Krishnan’s Payday: Triple What She Earned for Her Last Hit
Trisha Krishnan is no newcomer, but even by industry standards, her fee for Thug Life has raised eyebrows — in a good way. According to verified trade sources, Trisha was paid ₹12 crore, a significant leap from the ₹4 crore she earned for her role in Good Bad Ugly alongside Ajith Kumar.
The math is simple: that’s a 300% raise. But the sentiment behind it is more nuanced. After two decades in the business, Trisha’s name still draws crowds, especially in Tamil-speaking belts. That said, some critics weren’t sold on her on-screen pairing with Kamal Haasan, citing the visible age gap. Still, commercially speaking, her salary mirrors her standing in the current market — especially in a film that leaned so heavily on nostalgia and star value.
STR Walks Away with ₹40 Crore — And Possibly the Loudest Applause
Silambarasan TR, or STR as fans fondly call him, was another major draw. And his remuneration — a cool ₹40 crore — puts him right behind industry titans like Vijay and Ajith in terms of paycheck heft. But unlike some paydays that spark debate, STR’s appears well-earned.
Early reviews and social chatter suggest that he brought much-needed energy to the screen. His character arc resonated strongly with younger fans, and his name alone had single screens in Tamil Nadu buzzing over the weekend. If Thug Life has a breakout performer, it might just be him.
Supporting Cast: Lean Paychecks, Big Moments
While the heavyweights took home the lion’s share, the rest of the ensemble was paid more conservatively:
- Ashok Selvan – ₹1 crore
- Joju George – ₹1 crore
- Abhirami – ₹50 lakh
The film also introduced Ali Fazal and Rohit Saraf to Tamil audiences, marking their official debuts in Kollywood. Their exact earnings haven’t been disclosed, but industry chatter suggests they were brought on board at premium rates for their Bollywood appeal.
The Controversy That Cost Thug Life Crores
The lead-up to release week should’ve been all about box office buzz and critical previews. Instead, it was hijacked by controversy.
During a media interaction on May 27, Kamal Haasan stated that the Kannada language had its roots in Tamil. What followed was swift and sharp. Kannada activists, cultural forums, and politicians denounced the remark. When Haasan refused to apologise — saying his comments were historical, not derogatory — the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) decided to block the film’s release in the state.
The loss? Not just visibility. According to trade analysts, Karnataka contributes 7–10% of box-office earnings for major Tamil films. For Thug Life, this translated to an estimated ₹35–40 crore in gross revenue, and around ₹12–15 crore in lost distributor share. That’s a dent no producer brushes off lightly.
A Film Without Screens: Karnataka Fans Cross Borders to Watch
Ironically, while the film couldn’t release in Karnataka, it still found its way to Kannada-speaking fans. As reported by The Economic Times, many fans from Bengaluru took cabs and buses to Hosur, a border town in Tamil Nadu, just to watch the movie.
Theatres in Hosur saw an unexpected spike in footfalls, some even adding extra shows to accommodate the influx. If nothing else, the incident proved that in South India, language might divide states, but fandom knows no boundaries.
From Glitzy Opening to Tapering Collections
Despite a splashy start, Thug Life struggled to maintain momentum. Day 1 brought in ₹15.5 crore from India, but collections began to dip by the weekend. By Day 4, the film clocked ₹6.5 crore, with the first week settling around ₹49.81 crore domestically and ₹90.31 crore globally.
What made things worse was the drop in screens. As per box office trackers, by Day 6, nearly 3,000 screens had pulled the film, citing underperformance and declining audience turnout.
Can OTT Save the Day?
With its theatrical fate in question, producers are now banking on digital platforms. Thug Life was initially slated for an eight-week OTT window, but sources indicate that Netflix may advance its release due to sluggish theatre returns. A quicker shift to streaming could help recover some of the costs, especially with international licensing deals factored in.
Digital performance may not replace a theatrical blockbuster, but it could give the film a second life—and perhaps a gentler reception.
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