His passion for the theater did not change: Mani Ratnam on Kamal Haasan

Chennai, April 18 (PTI) who praises his ‘Thug Life’ star Kamal Haasan, veteran filmmaker Mani Ratnam, Friday, said the superstar is not only a brilliant actor, but someone whose enthusiasm for the cinema has not changed. Haasan and Ratnam reunite the film after a gap of over 35 years in the 234th film of the Tamil -Superstar. They used to work on the critical hit “Nayakan” in 1987. “It’s not just that he’s a brilliant actor. The whole world knows it. It’s the fact that he still loves cinema and has this unique talent to balance between the mainstream theater and still break barriers on the other,” Ratnam said during the song -launch of the gangster drama. The director ‘Ponniyin Selvan’ said he was an actor of Haasan’s caliber was a real advantage for him, as the actor records ’50 percent of the burden ‘on the filmmaker. “He takes care of a lot of things. Not only himself, but people around him, all actors around him, so it makes it credible and very real … What amazes me is that the enthusiasm has not changed at all. The passion for it and the search has not changed. It is still there. The music of the film was composed by Ar Rahman. a scene, he feels as if Haasan is looking at him from the screen and asks, “What are you going to do?” Ilaiyaraaja, did their incredible work, “Rahman said. ‘Thug life’ is a different film as ‘Nayakan’, however, he added.” So I didn’t have the weight on me. It has a lot of thought, more today’s sound, but still has the magic of what they did together, I think, in portions. I am really honored and I am very excited. I have still recorded every day for the past four months, “he said.” Thug life “also contains Trisha Krishnan and Silambarasan Tr, who said it is a surreal experience to work with Haasan, Ratnam and Rahman in one movie.” It feels like a dream. which is on the screen guru. But all together in one movie is a surreal experience. ‘ If we shoot, it was very difficult to stand for. Trisha, who worked with Ratnam for the two -part email “Ponniyin Selvan”, said the two stalwarts of the Indian cinema have a ‘certain aura’ around them. Bubble (of being horrible with them). There is a comfort I probably share with Mani Sir and Kamal Sir that I may not actually share with a fellow timetable, also because they make sure they burst that bubble. “We do so much rehearsals, homework and to be very honest with the work I did, when I worked with Mani Sir and Kamal Sir, it’s the films I think I spent more practice days than shooting days (sic).” On the set there was no ‘hierarchy’ among the artists, she said. “Even if there is a child, Kamal Sir will make sure he is tampering and helping them do what they are supposed to do. We have this backup when we get to the point, everything becomes so much easier for us. They are legendary for many reasons, but that’s one reason that always stood out for me,” she added. Thug life is jointly produced by Udhayanidhi Stalin’s Red Giant Movies, Raaj Kamal Films International and Ratnam’s Madras Talkies. The film, which will be released in theaters on June 5, will also contain Ashok Selvan, Abhirami, Nassar, Joju George, Aishwarya Lexhmi, Sanya Malhotra and Ali Fazal. First published: 18 Apr 2025, 03:35 IST