Thug Life star Simbu reveals Mani Ratnam was the only one who approached him after red card: Many producers were afraid of making films with me…
Thug Life is a gangster drama, which will release on June 5. Directed by Mani Ratnam, it also stars Kal Haasan, Trisha, Ashok Selvan and others
Last Updated: 10.39 AM, May 25, 2025
Actor Silambarasan who has had a career hiatus, is back with a bang and has announced various films in his line-up. His immediate release is Thug Life which is headlined by Kamal Haasan and directed by Mani Ratnam. Ahead of the release, the makers had conducted a grand audio launch, in which the album of the film was unveiled and performed. The Osthe actor spoke during the event and how he had faced the red card situation and it was Mani Ratnam who had given him a chance.
Simbu talks about getting red card
Speaking at the event, Simbu recalled how when the industry had given him a red card, which equals to banning and boycotting him. The Manmadhan actor added, “I thought he (Mani Ratnam) would never invite me to collaborate for a film and that I won't be suitable for his roles. You know what kind of films I had acted in after I grew up, all of them were mass and masala films. But then, I had also been given red card and during that time, many producers were afraid of making films with me. I had no films and no directors approached me. Then, I had got a call from Madras Talkies saying Mani sir wanted to speak with me. I had to reconfirm if it is true, and it was Mani sir who was the only one who had trusted me and given Chekka Chivantha Vaanam.”
Simbu also said that the Roja filmmaker had approached him for Ponniyin Selvan, and had called for Thug Life initially as well. “But when I got the opportunity again, I think it is very special, that too with Kamal Haasan sir.”
Thug Life release
Thug Life is an upcoming gangster action drama directed by Mani Ratnam, marking his reunion with Kamal Haasan after their iconic 1987 film Nayakan. Set for theatrical release on June 5, 2025, the film stars Kamal Haasan, Silambarasan TR, Trisha Krishnan, Ashok Selvan, Aishwarya Lekshmi, Nasser, Abhirami, and others. After its theatrical run, the film is set to stream on Netflix, with a gap of eight weeks.