Veteran actor Kamal Haasan has announced that his upcoming film Thug Life will have an extended eight-week gap between its theatrical release and arrival on OTT platforms, calling the decision a pragmatic approach to industry growth. In recent years, the standard OTT window for films has narrowed to four weeks, with many productions opting for an earlier streaming debut. However, Haasan believes maintaining a longer theatrical run will benefit the industry, ensuring that movies have ample time to perform at the box office before shifting to streaming platforms.
During a promotional event for the Mani Ratnam-directed film, Haasan expressed his optimism that this model could set a precedent for future releases.
“It is not even an experiment, it’s a pragmatic thing to do. I’m glad that Netflix agreed. It’s a plan that maybe others could follow,” Haasan told reporters.
“It will make the industry healthy, and we are glad to be the first to avail of this opportunity.”
This film marks a long-awaited reunion between Haasan and acclaimed filmmaker Mani Ratnam, who last worked together on the 1987 classic Nayakan. Set against a backdrop of crime and justice, Thug Life features Haasan in the role of Rangaraya Sakthivel Nayakar, a man caught in a gripping conflict. The film boasts an ensemble cast, including Silambarasan TR, Trisha, Abhirami, Ashok Selvan, and celebrated music composer A. R. Rahman. Additionally, Aishwarya Lekshmi, Joju George, Nassar, Mahesh Manjrekar, Ali Fazal, Rohit Saraf, Rajshri Deshpande, and Sanya Malhotra are part of the project.
