Mumbai: Netflix is reportedly renegotiating its high-value Rs 130 crore OTT deal for Thug Life following the film’s lackluster box office performance. The Kamal Haasan and Silambarasan TR starrer hit theatres on June 5, 2025, amid high expectations but failed to resonate with audiences, resulting in underwhelming theatrical revenue.
The massive OTT rights deal had been secured primarily due to the much-hyped reunion of Kamal Haasan and celebrated filmmaker Mani Ratnam, decades after their iconic collaboration in Nayakan.
However, the film’s mixed reviews and weak audience turnout have prompted Netflix to push for a 20–25% reduction in the previously agreed amount.
Sources indicate that initially slated for a digital premiere eight weeks after its theatrical release, the film could now begin streaming on the platform within four weeks—a sign of shifting post-theatrical strategies amid evolving viewer demand.
Thug Life is a gritty gangster drama centered around Rangaraaya Sakthivel, a powerful crime boss in Delhi, and his foster son Amaran, who eventually becomes his rival.
The storyline explores themes of betrayal, power struggles, and revenge, set against a backdrop of organized crime. The ensemble cast includes Trisha Krishnan, Aishwarya Lekshmi, Joju George, Ali Fazal, Ashok Selvan, and Nassar.
Meanwhile, Kamal Haasan is already busy with his next project, the KH237, directed by the AnbArivu duo. On the other hand, Silambarasan TR (STR) is in discussions with acclaimed filmmaker Vetrimaaran for a potential action venture and has several films in the pipeline.
As the OTT landscape becomes increasingly dynamic, this development underscores how streaming giants adapt their strategies in response to box office results, even for star-driven, big-budget titles.
