Thug Life Kerala Tour Concludes in Kochi

In a heartfelt social media post, Malayalam star Joju George thanked Kochi’s press and media for their warm reception as the team behind Mani Ratnam’s Thug Life wrapped up its Kerala promotional tour. The gathering in Kochi marked the final leg of the tour, bringing fans face-to-face with an ensemble cast ahead of the film’s June 5 release.

Mani Ratnam’s Latest Hits The City

The Kochi press meet saw director Mani Ratnam on stage alongside his leading men, Kamal Haasan and Silambarasan TR, as well as key members of the cast and crew. Held at a central city venue, the event featured the film’s signature poster displays and an exclusive teaser screening. Mani Ratnam, known for his nuanced storytelling, offered insights into his vision: “This is a story of survival, loyalty and the city underbelly. We hope audiences across Kerala will connect with its pulse.”

Star-studded Lineup

Alongside Thug Life’s veteran leads, the Kochi event put a spotlight on rising names. Joju George shared glimpses of his moments with Kamal Haasan and Mani Ratnam on his Instagram handle, captioning one shot: “Thank you Kochi Press and Media 🤍.” Actor Ashok Selvan, making his first appearance on the Kerala leg, described the camaraderie on set: “Working with this team has been electrifying. Every day felt like a masterclass.”

The musical dimension was underscored by composer A.R. Rahman, whose score is already being hailed as one of his most evocative. Rahman joined virtually to express gratitude and tease a few bars from the film’s theme, leaving the crowd buzzing. Other faces on the roster include Abhirami, veteran character actors Nasser and Tanikella Bharani, plus a special appearance by Bollywood’s Ali Fazal.

Behind the camera, cinematographer Ravi K. Chandran and editor Sreekar Prasad shared snippets of how they sculpted Thug Life’s gritty aesthetic. “The storm sequences were shot in real monsoon conditions,” Chandran revealed, adding that the team spent weeks scouting Kochi’s oldest quarters for authentic backdrops.

Fan Reactions And Media Buzz

Social media channels lit up as press photographers and bloggers snapped the cast on the red carpet. #ThugLifeKeralaTour trended regionally, with fans posting selfies alongside life-size cutouts of Kamal Haasan and Silambarasan. Local newspapers ran front-page spreads the next morning, praising the film’s promise of high-octane action paired with Mani Ratnam’s trademark emotional depth.

Journalists grilled the leads on their character arcs. Haasan hinted at an unexpected twist, saying, “My role here has shades I haven’t explored in decades.” STR, meanwhile, spoke about the physical preparation involved: “This is the toughest I’ve trained for a film. You’ll see a side of me you’ve never seen.”

Producers Gokulam Gopalan and Baiju Gopalan expressed confidence in the film’s commercial prospects. Gopalan noted that Thug Life will release in IMAX theatres across India, aiming for a pan-Indian reach. Streaming giant Netflix India, one of the film’s distribution partners, has already secured digital rights, setting the stage for a global debut later in the year.

As the Kochi event drew to a close, fans lined up for autographs, and the cast stepped offstage to mingle over tea and local snacks. Joju George capped the evening by posting a final group shot on Instagram, tagging co-stars and thanking everyone “from the bottom of our hearts.”

With the promotional tour complete, all eyes now turn to June 5. Thug Life promises a blend of star power, technical finesse and Mani Ratnam’s storytelling prowess. Kerala’s media send-off has set a high bar—now it’s up to audiences to see if the film lives up to the hype.

Reporter

Ratika Pai

 

Ratika holds a master's degree in commerce and a post-graduate diploma in communication and journalism from Mumbai University. She has 6 years of experience writing in various fields, such as finance, education, and lifestyle.

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