The audio launch of the much-anticipated action drama Thug Life in Chennai on Saturday was not just a star-studded affair with the who’s who of South Indian cinema in attendance, but also a heartfelt reunion of celebrities who share deep bonds and mutual warmth. Among the attendees was Kannada superstar Shivarajkumar, who shares a decades-long camaraderie with Kamal Haasan.
Speaking at the event, Shivarajkumar took a nostalgic trip down memory lane, recalling his first meeting with Haasan in the presence of his father, late legendary Kannada actor Dr Rajkumar. He further fondly revealed that he didn’t shower for three days after receiving a hug from the actor. “One day, he came over to our home and was talking to my dad. I stood there, quietly admiring him. He saw me and, upon learning that I was my dad’s son, he came and gave me a handshake. I asked if I could give him a hug, and he gladly said yes. After that, I did not shower for three days. I wanted his smell and odour on me. I am such a huge fan of him,” Shivarajkumar said, adding that he never misses a first-day-first-show (FDFS) of a Kamal Haasan film.
Shivarajkumar further shared how a phone call from the Tamil star after his cancer surgery filled him with joy and reminded him deeply of his father. “I still remember, I was in Miami in December of last year for a surgery. After that, Kamal sir phoned and talked to me. He was in Chicago at that time. It made me so happy. He told me, ‘You don’t know Shivanna, I have got tears in my eyes after speaking to you.’ I can never forget that; it felt like I was talking to my dad.” Shivarajkumar underwent the surgery to remove a cancerous bladder.
Helmed by Mani Ratnam, Thug Life marks the filmmaker’s and Kamal Haasan’s first collaboration in 38 years after Nayakan (1987). The film also features Silambarasan (Simbu aka STR), Trisha Krishnan, Aishwarya Lekshmi, Ashok Selvan, Abhirami, Joju George, Nasser, Mahesh Manjrekar and Ali Fazal in key roles. Thug Life boasts music by AR Rahman, cinematography by Ravi K Chandran, editing by Sreekar Prasad and action choreography by Anbariv. The film will hit the screens worldwide on June 5.
