The audio launch of Kamal Haasan's highly anticipated film 'Thug Life,' directed by Mani Ratnam, was a grand affair held in Chennai. The event celebrated the reunion of Haasan and Ratnam after 38 years since 'Nayakan' and featured the release of nine songs from the film's soundtrack, composed by A.R. Rahman. The launch was attended by the core team, including Silambarasan (STR), Trisha, and Nassar, as well as Kannada superstar Shiva Rajkumar.

A.R. Rahman opened the evening with a live performance of the first song, receiving a huge response. He later revealed that "Vinveli Nayaka" was his personal favorite from the album. Every song from the soundtrack was performed live by its original singers, adding to the excitement. Shiva Rajkumar impressed the audience by speaking in Tamil and expressing his admiration for Kamal Haasan. Veteran actor Nassar predicted that 'Thug Life' would exceed expectations, while actress Abhirami paid poetic tribute to Mani Ratnam, A.R. Rahman, and Kamal Haasan, even singing “Unna Vida” from 'Virumaandi'. Trisha shared her joy about collaborating with Mani Ratnam and Kamal Haasan, assuring fans they would be surprised by the film.

Silambarasan delivered an emotional speech, thanking A.R. Rahman for his support during a difficult period and expressing gratitude to his parents. He recounted a pivotal scene in 'Thug Life' where he had to grab Kamal Haasan by the neck, admitting he did it for real and regretting it. Kamal Haasan emphasized his love for cinema, discussed his struggles as a film producer, and clarified that he runs his political party using his own funds. He also revealed that only the television and OTT rights of 'Thug Life' have been sold, with theatrical release handled by his company.

Kamal Haasan offered advice to STR, urging him to embrace his responsibilities as a leader. He surprised the audience by announcing his next project, a comedy film, and jokingly asked Nassar to join him. In an exclusive interview with NDTV, Kamal Haasan, A.R. Rahman, and Silambarasan TR discussed the film, with Haasan hinting at deeper thematic undertones beyond action. Rahman described the collaboration as "epic" and approached the project with an international lens, emphasizing that Mani Ratnam treats cinema as art without cultural boundaries. The soundtrack is designed to be immersive and unpredictable.

Simbu called the experience a "continuous learning process". Haasan stated that the film's core message is a philosophical reflection on crime: "Crime doesn't pay-however much it pays." Rahman and Kamal Haasan also discussed the transformation of the film industry, celebrating the magic of theatrical experiences. Haasan emphasized the importance of performers remaining true to their craft in an AI-driven world, while Simbu assured that 'Thug Life' is designed to hold the audience's attention. Shivarajkumar expressed his adoration for Kamal, recounting a memorable incident with Kamal and his father, Rajkumar. He sang ‘Orey Naal Unnai Naan’ from Kamal’s 1978 film. Mani Ratnam and A.R. Rahman kept their speeches short, thanking Kamal for the opportunity.

The film features a strong ensemble cast including Kamal Haasan, Silambarasan TR, Trisha Krishnan, Ashok Selvan, Aishwarya Lekshmi, Joju George, Ali Fazal, Sanya Malhotra, and Rohit Saraf. 'Thug Life' is set for a global theatrical release on June 5, 2025.