Kamal Haasan’s much-anticipated collaboration with director Mani Ratnam, Thug Life, is all set to roar at the box office on its opening day. Backed by an overwhelming response to advance bookings and strong word of mouth, the film is likely to mark one of the biggest openings of 2025 for an Indian film.

As of 6 am on release day, Thug Life had sold over 3.5 lakh tickets across multiple languages (except Kannada), grossing ₹6.16 crore even without counting block seats. With block seats included, the figure soars to ₹13.89 crore. Industry tracker Sacnilk reports this as a remarkable opening day prelude, suggesting the film will likely witness an explosive run at the ticket counters throughout the day.

Industry experts are unanimous in their positive projections. Film tracker Ramesh Bala anticipates a ₹40 to ₹50 crore opening across India, with global numbers potentially touching ₹75 crore. Sreedhar Pillai, another respected voice in the trade, forecasts ₹20-25 crore from Tamil Nadu alone, underlining the film's massive appeal in the southern market.

Directed by Mani Ratnam and starring Kamal Haasan in a gritty role, Thug Life carries the weight of expectation, especially from fans hoping to recapture the magic of Nayakan. The film also comes with the pressure of outperforming Haasan’s recent hits like Vikram and the upcoming Indian 2.

While a boycott in Karnataka may pose challenges in that region, the overall momentum is expected to carry Thug Life comfortably through its opening day. With solid performances, Mani Ratnam’s direction, and Kamal Haasan’s charisma, the film is poised to deliver one of the biggest day-one hauls in recent memory. All eyes are now on the final collection figures as Thug Life begins its theatrical journey.