section_path: Production/Development
section_name: Development
paragraph_text: Development
  
  In late 2002, Kamal Haasan unveiled plans for a film project titled Moo, which he intended to co-direct alongside filmmakers Mani Ratnam and Singeetam Srinivasa Rao. The screenplay was to explore the intricacies of the Rashomon effect, presenting audiences with three distinct interpretations of a single incident. However, Ratnam opted out of the project, citing his commitments to Aayutha Ezhuthu (2004), which used a similar narrative device. Undeterred by Ratnam's departure, Haasan proceeded with the concept, resulting in the creation of Virumaandi (2004). This film, centred on the interrogation of two prison inmates, retained the thematic essence of Moo. Following a decade, in late 2012, Hollywood producer Barrie M. Osborne had approached to make Moo into an English film. The actor announced the project in February 2013, but it was later shelved.
  
  Haasan, who did a voice-over for Ratnam's Ponniyin Selvan: I in 2022, announced on 6 November that he would work with Ratnam again on a project after the Ponniyin Selvan film series. The project was funded by their companies— Raaj Kamal Films International, Madras Talkies —and Udhayanidhi Stalin 's Red Giant Movies, which also co-produced Haasan's Indian 2 (2024). Tentatively titled Kamal Haasan 234, it marks a full-fledged reunion of the actor and director after 37 years since the release of their cult film Nayakan (1987). Haasan stated that they were taking time with the development and pre-production because he and Ratnam want to make the film as strong as Nayakan. Stunt choreography duo Anbariv, who became involved in the project in October 2023, stated that the film would be an action film, and a few days later, it was touted as a gangster action drama. The film's official title, Thug Life, was announced on 6 November 2023, the eve of Haasan's birthday. It was the first instance where a Ratnam film has been titled in English; his previous ventures were titled in regional languages.
  
  Made on a production budget of ₹ 180 crore (US$21 million), with marketing costs valued at ₹ 20 crore (US$2.4 million), Kamal and Ratnam decided to take the revenue sharing model, as they were the producers and benefit the production. Speaking to Anupama Chopra, Haasan stated that the film was based on an original script he wrote, which was the shelved project Amar Hain. The title was a pun, where the principal character Amar, who was believed to be dead is not dead, referencing the trailer of Alfred Hitchcock 's The Trouble with Harry (1955). He originally wrote the basic story line and characters, while Ratnam took it and developed it further. Haasan further suggested the title, Thug Life, inspired by American rapper Tupac Shakur, which Ratnam was impressed and was the official title for the film.
  
  In late 2002, Kamal Haasan unveiled plans for a film project titled Moo, which he intended to co-direct alongside filmmakers Mani Ratnam and Singeetam Srinivasa Rao. The screenplay was to explore the intricacies of the Rashomon effect, presenting audiences with three distinct interpretations of a single incident. However, Ratnam opted out of the project, citing his commitments to Aayutha Ezhuthu (2004), which used a similar narrative device. Undeterred by Ratnam's departure, Haasan proceeded with the concept, resulting in the creation of Virumaandi (2004). This film, centred on the interrogation of two prison inmates, retained the thematic essence of Moo. Following a decade, in late 2012, Hollywood producer Barrie M. Osborne had approached to make Moo into an English film. The actor announced the project in February 2013, but it was later shelved.
  
  Haasan, who did a voice-over for Ratnam's Ponniyin Selvan: I in 2022, announced on 6 November that he would work with Ratnam again on a project after the Ponniyin Selvan film series. The project was funded by their companies— Raaj Kamal Films International, Madras Talkies —and Udhayanidhi Stalin 's Red Giant Movies, which also co-produced Haasan's Indian 2 (2024). Tentatively titled Kamal Haasan 234, it marks a full-fledged reunion of the actor and director after 37 years since the release of their cult film Nayakan (1987). Haasan stated that they were taking time with the development and pre-production because he and Ratnam want to make the film as strong as Nayakan. Stunt choreography duo Anbariv, who became involved in the project in October 2023, stated that the film would be an action film, and a few days later, it was touted as a gangster action drama. The film's official title, Thug Life, was announced on 6 November 2023, the eve of Haasan's birthday. It was the first instance where a Ratnam film has been titled in English; his previous ventures were titled in regional languages.
  
  Made on a production budget of ₹ 180 crore (US$21 million), with marketing costs valued at ₹ 20 crore (US$2.4 million), Kamal and Ratnam decided to take the revenue sharing model, as they were the producers and benefit the production. Speaking to Anupama Chopra, Haasan stated that the film was based on an original script he wrote, which was the shelved project Amar Hain. The title was a pun, where the principal character Amar, who was believed to be dead is not dead, referencing the trailer of Alfred Hitchcock 's The Trouble with Harry (1955). He originally wrote the basic story line and characters, while Ratnam took it and developed it further. Haasan further suggested the title, Thug Life, inspired by American rapper Tupac Shakur, which Ratnam was impressed and was the official title for the film.