Mani Ratnam’s much-anticipated gangster drama ' Thug Life ,' which got released today (June 5) in theaters, is already generating buzz not just for its cinematic scale but also for its upcoming digital release. Headlined by Kamal Haasan, the film will land on Netflix following its theatrical run, ensuring fans who miss the big-screen experience can catch it online, and the digital platform has officially announced earlier on bagging the film's OTT rights. The OTT platform has acquired the streaming rights in a major deal, reaffirming the film’s strong commercial potential and wide-reaching appeal. It is worth mentioning that Kamal Haasan earlier confirmed during the film's promotion that 'Thug Life' will be available in OTT only after 8 weeks, as the team aims for a wider release in the Hindi market.

Star-studded cast brings depth to Mani Ratnam’s vision.
The film features Kamal Haasan as Rangaraaya Sakthivel Naicker, a mysterious, powerful figure in the criminal underworld. Alongside him, Silambarasan TR, Trisha Krishnan, Ashok Selvan, and Joju George add depth to the ensemble, delivering performances that span action, emotion, and intrigue. With AR Rahman’s rousing score and Ravi K Chandran’s striking visuals, 'Thug Life' blends style with storytelling, making it one of the year’s most technically accomplished releases.
Netflix aims big with a multilingual streaming strategy.
For Netflix, 'Thug Life' is a marquee acquisition. It not only brings two cinematic legends, Kamal Haasan and Mani Ratnam, back together after decades but also taps into pan-Indian viewership through its multilingual release. While the Tamil version leads the box office race, the Telugu and Hindi versions also contribute to the film’s nationwide reach. The OTT release is expected to draw a wider, global audience that prefers streaming content at their convenience.
Theatrical run builds momentum for digital success.
As fans await its digital premiere date, 'Thug Life' continues its theatrical run, drawing interest for its gritty narrative and larger-than-life characters. Given the scale and ambition of the project, the film is expected to perform well on streaming, where Kamal Haasan’s global fanbase can revisit the saga or discover it anew from anywhere in the world.