Kamal Haasan on 8-Week Theatrical Window: “It’s Not an Experiment, It’s a Plan”

Kamal Haasan, never one to shy away from pushing boundaries, has taken a firm stance on theatrical releases with his upcoming film Thug Life. At a recent promotional event in Mumbai, the legendary actor announced that the film will follow an eight-week gap before it becomes available on OTT platforms — a notable shift from the more common four-week window seen in recent years. Speaking on the decision, Haasan explained, “It is not even an experiment, it’s a pragmatic thing to do.”

 

Rather than treating the move as a negotiation with streaming platforms, Haasan said the decision was a collaborative strategy designed to benefit the entire film industry. “We sat together, and it was not a negotiation, it is a plan, which maybe others could follow. It will make the industry healthy,” he noted. His words reflect a growing concern within the film community that rapid OTT releases may be diluting the theatrical experience and hurting long-term box office viability.

 

Thug Life, directed by Mani Ratnam, is one of the most anticipated films of the year and marks the return of the Kamal-Mani duo after 35 years. With Haasan playing the role of Rangaraya Sakthivel Nayakar, the film explores themes of power, morality, and justice through the lens of a stylized gangster narrative. The extended theatrical window aligns with the film’s scale and ambition, aiming to restore some of the prestige and excitement traditionally associated with big-screen releases.

 

Haasan’s approach may very well influence future release strategies in the Indian film industry. As he put it, “We are glad to be the first to be there, to avail that opportunity.” With Thug Life set for a global release on June 5, 2025, all eyes will be on whether this model sparks a new era for theatrical-first storytelling in the age of streaming.

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