Thug Life Box Office Day 1 Prediction: Kamal Haasan’s Gangster Epic Targets THIS MUCH Crores Amid Karnataka Controversy

Table of Contents

• Overview
• Highlights: Day 1 Prediction
• Background
• Social Media Buzz
• Also Read
• Cast & Crew

Overview

Thug Life, a gangster action drama directed by Mani Ratnam, reunites Kamal Haasan with the filmmaker after 38 years, set for a June 5, 2025 release. Despite a Karnataka ban due to Haasan’s controversial “Kannada was born out of Tamil” remark, the film’s trailer has sparked massive buzz. Predicted to open at ₹35-38 Cr, it could become Haasan and Ratnam’s biggest opener, per Koimoi. Produced by Raaj Kamal Films International, the film promises a high-stakes saga with a stellar ensemble.

[](https://www.koimoi.com/box-office/thug-life-box-office-day-1-kamal-haasan-to-deliver-2025s-2nd-biggest-opener-ram-charan-to-stay-undefeated/)[](https://www.koimoi.com/box-office/thug-life-box-office-day-1-prediction-career-best-opening-loading-for-kamal-haasan-mani-ratnam/)

Aspect	Details
Title	Thug Life
Genre	Gangster Action Drama
Channel	Theatrical Release
Producers	Raaj Kamal Films International, Madras Talkies
Release Date	June 5, 2025

Highlights: Day 1 Prediction

Thug Life, Kamal Haasan’s 234th film, is poised for a smashing opening on June 5, 2025, despite a Karnataka release ban following Haasan’s refusal to apologize for stating, “Your language (Kannada) was born out of Tamil.” Koimoi predicts a day 1 collection of ₹35-38 Cr net in India, surpassing Haasan’s Vikram (₹32.05 Cr) and Mani Ratnam’s Ponniyin Selvan (₹34 Cr), potentially making it their biggest openers. The trailer’s intense glimpse of Haasan as Rangaraaya Sakthivel Naicker, a gangster in a “never-seen-before avatar,” has fueled hype, with fans raving, “Ulaganayagan is back!” However, the Karnataka controversy may dent collections, as Haasan confirmed, “Thug Life will not be releasing in Karnataka as of now.” Will the film’s buzz overcome this setback to challenge Ram Charan’s Game Changer (₹54 Cr)?

[](https://www.koimoi.com/box-office/thug-life-box-office-day-1-kamal-haasan-to-deliver-2025s-2nd-biggest-opener-ram-charan-to-stay-undefeated/)[](https://www.koimoi.com/box-office/thug-life-box-office-day-1-prediction-career-best-opening-loading-for-kamal-haasan-mani-ratnam/)[](https://www.koimoi.com/box-office/thug-life-trailer-impact-at-box-office-day-1-say-bye-to-vikrams-32-05-crores-make-way-for-kamal-haasans-soon-to-be-biggest-opener/)

Background

Announced in November 2022, Thug Life marks Kamal Haasan and Mani Ratnam’s reunion since Nayakan (1987), a cult classic. Based on Haasan’s script Amar Hai, meaning “a man who is believed to be dead is not dead,” the story was enhanced by Ratnam, as Haasan told Hollywood Reporter India: “Mani took it as an idea and went on to enhance it.” Filmed with a ₹180 Cr budget, the gangster saga wrapped shooting in September 2024, featuring AR Rahman’s score and a wide release in Tamil and Telugu. Despite strong overseas pre-sales (₹63 Cr) and a ₹149.7 Cr Netflix OTT deal, the Karnataka ban, triggered by Haasan’s linguistic remark, poses a challenge. The film’s June 5 release aligns with Haasan’s lucky month, as Vikram (₹426 Cr gross) hit theaters in June 2022.

[](https://www.koimoi.com/south-indian-cinema/thug-life-kamal-haasans-234th-film-locks-biggest-ever-ott-deal-for-kollywood-with-19-higher-price-than-the-goat-reports/)[](https://www.koimoi.com/box-office/thug-life-box-office-day-1-kamal-haasan-to-deliver-2025s-2nd-biggest-opener-ram-charan-to-stay-undefeated/)[](https://www.imdb.com/list/ls567838020/)

Social Media Buzz

Thug Life is dominating X! @Venky_BO posted on June 1, 2025, “#ThugLife USA Premiere Advance Sales: $315K, on par with Indian 2,” signaling strong North American hype. @indiaforums cheered on June 2, 2025, “Thug Life aims for 35 crore+ on day 1, second biggest Indian opener of 2025!” Fans like @CinemaBuff22 raved, “Kamal Haasan’s gangster look—pure fire!” while @MovieMania07 worried, “Karnataka ban might hurt, but Tamil Nadu will carry it!” Some, like @TellyVibes07, debated, “Can’t beat Game Changer’s 54 Cr, but 38 Cr is huge!” The Karnataka controversy sparked outrage, with @KannadaFan88 stating, “No apology, no release!” #ThugLife trends with excitement and tension.

[](https://www.koimoi.com/box-office/thug-life-box-office-day-1-kamal-haasan-to-deliver-2025s-2nd-biggest-opener-ram-charan-to-stay-undefeated/)[](https://x.com/RKFI/status/1854894144914907483)

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• Housefull 5 Advance Booking: Akshay Kumar’s Comedy Thriller Outpaces Deva on June 3, 2025, Nets THIS Much Crores
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Cast & Crew

Kamal Haasan stars as Rangaraaya Sakthivel Naicker, with Silambarasan, Trisha Krishnan, Abhirami, Aishwarya Lekshmi, Ashok Selvan, Joju George, Nassar, Ali Fazal, Pankaj Tripathi, Rohit Saraf, and Baburaj in key roles. Directed by Mani Ratnam, the film is produced by Kamal Haasan, Mani Ratnam, R. Mahendran, and Siva Ananth under Raaj Kamal Films International and Madras Talkies, with music by AR Rahman.

Role	Name
Lead Actor (Rangaraaya Sakthivel Naicker)	Kamal Haasan
Supporting Actor (Amar)	Silambarasan TR
Supporting Actress	Trisha Krishnan
Supporting Actor	Ali Fazal
Supporting Actor	Pankaj Tripathi
Director	Mani Ratnam
Producers	Kamal Haasan, Mani Ratnam, R. Mahendran, Siva Ananth

Focus Words: Thug Life, Kamal Haasan, Mani Ratnam, box office prediction, ₹35-38 Cr, gangster drama, Karnataka controversy, #ThugLife