Thug Life Dethroned by Eleven in Theatrical & OTT Run!

Time and again, cinema keeps proving that content is king, and it never compromises under any circumstances. Over the past month, Tamil film buffs have witnessed a terrific shift, with content-driven films like Maaman and Tourist Family, making a mark.

What followed next was a surprising theatrical box office moment – Eleven. A film headlined by a relatively less-known Tamil actor (Naveen Chandra, primarily known in Telugu cinema), turned out to be a decent hit. However, the real twist came with its OTT release. The film’s phenomenal reception on streaming platforms pushed audiences back into theatres – a rare scenario in Tamil cinema where OTT reviews end up driving theatre footfall.

Today, Eleven has successfully completed 50 days in theatres and is still running strong, Thug Life has been removed from all the theaters. 

On the contrary, Mani Ratnam’s Thug Life, despite boasting an ensemble cast including Kamal Haasan, Silambarasan TR, Abhirami, Trisha, Ashok Selvan, and many others, failed to garner a strong response both in theatres and on OTT. With its recent premiere on Netflix, the feedback has grown even more negative.

Many fans had hoped Mani Ratnam would release an uncut version of the film, believing it might offer a more meaningful experience. However, with the same theatrical version being released on OTT, the disappointment has only deepened.

Tamil cinema has seen instances of films underperforming in theatres but finding love on OTT. But now, Thug Life has missed the mark on both fronts. 

Well, content is king – and Tamil audiences are making that loud and clear.