Kamal Haasan and Mani Ratnam’s ambitious crime drama, Thug Life, experienced a significant decline in its box office performance on Day 2. Released on June 5, 2025, the film garnered substantial attention due to the reunion of the iconic duo after their collaboration on Nayakan (1987). However, the initial excitement did not translate into sustained audience interest.

On its opening day, Thug Life made a notable impact at the box office. In India, the film grossed approximately ₹15.5 crore, with the Tamil version leading at ₹13.35 crore, followed by ₹1.5 crore from the Telugu version and ₹0.65 crore from the Hindi version. Internationally, the film performed better, with a global opening day gross of ₹24 crore, surpassing the Indian market.

Contrary to expectations of a weekend surge, Thug Life witnessed a sharp decline on its second day. The film’s earnings plummeted to ₹7.50 crore in India, marking a staggering 55% drop from Day 1. This downturn was particularly evident in the Hindi markets, where the film struggled to maintain its audience.

Several factors may have contributed to the film’s underperformance:

• Mixed Reviews: Despite the star power of Kamal Haasan and the directorial expertise of Mani Ratnam, the film received a mixed response from both critics and audiences.
• Competition: The release of Housefull 5 on June 6, 2025, featuring a star-studded cast including Akshay Kumar, Riteish Deshmukh, and Abhishek Bachchan, attracted a significant portion of the audience, overshadowing Thug Life.
• Limited Appeal: While the film performed well in Tamil Nadu, its appeal in other regions, especially in the Hindi-speaking markets, was limited, affecting its overall box office performance.

With the onset of the weekend, there is hope that Thug Life may recover some of its lost momentum. The upcoming Bakrid holiday could potentially boost footfall in theaters. However, the significant drop on Day 2 raises concerns about the film’s ability to sustain interest and achieve long-term success at the box office.

In conclusion, while Thug Life had an impressive start, its rapid decline on Day 2 highlights the unpredictable nature of box office dynamics and the challenges faced by films in maintaining audience engagement beyond the initial release.