Kamal Haasan and Mani Ratnam’s highly anticipated collaboration Thug Life has encountered yet another setback — this time off the big screen. Following its underwhelming theatrical run since its June 5 release, the film is now facing penalties from national multiplex chains for breaking the 8-week OTT release protocol.
₹25 Lakh Fine for Breaching Theatrical Window Norms
According to a report, Thug Life will be fined ₹25 lakh for premiering on Netflix just four weeks after its theatrical debut. This move goes against the industry-standard 8-week theatrical window that multiplexes in North India enforce strictly.
A source told the publication:
“There’s a norm in North India to strictly follow an 8-week window. As Thug Life has breached this guideline, the National Multiplex Chains have imposed a fine on the producers. The producers and distributors will forgo their theatrical share from the Hindi version, which amounts to ₹25 lakh.”
Netflix Deal Renegotiated After Box Office Disappointment
The film’s digital rights were initially valued at ₹130 crore, but due to its lackluster box office performance, Netflix reportedly renegotiated the deal down to ₹110 crore. The streamer also insisted on a reduced OTT window in exchange for the revised price.
This is not the first time Kamal Haasan’s team has drawn criticism for bypassing theatrical norms. A similar incident occurred with the early OTT release of Indian 2, sparking tensions between production houses and theatre chains.
Poor Box Office Performance and Controversies
Despite the massive hype and powerhouse team of Haasan and Mani Ratnam, Thug Life failed to attract audiences and was pulled from most Indian theatres within three weeks. The film also attracted political controversy after Haasan’s remarks on Tamil-Kannada relations stirred debate in the media.
Star-Studded Cast, But Short-Lived Theatrical Presence
Thug Life features a prominent ensemble cast including Silambarasan, Trisha Krishnan, Aishwarya Lekshmi, Ali Fazal, and more. It is co-written and co-produced by Kamal Haasan under Raaj Kamal Films International, in collaboration with Mani Ratnam’s Madras Talkies.
Despite pushback from multiplex chains, the film’s OTT release on Netflix is expected in the coming days, cutting short its theatrical journey — a move likely to reignite debate over the balance between box office and streaming strategies in Indian cinema.
