Mani Ratnam is an iconic personality in the Indian film industry, known for many classic films from the 1990s and early 2000s.
Even the recent Ponniyin Selvan earned him respect for bringing a classic Tamil text to the big screen with massive production value, but still made him face criticism for not being able to hold the audience with emotion quotient in it.
A film is all about emotional engagement, first, not the visual feast in the name of production values and stunts.
Now Thug Life has tarnished Mani Ratnam's reputation. Just as Shankar — another talented director — has been seen as a spent force after Game Changer and Indian 2, Mani Ratnam now seems to be heading down a similar path.
It is a disappointment for many of his fans to see such a sluggish film like Thug Life coming from him.
Many feel that instead of expecting a strong directorial comeback, it might be better for him to step back from directing entirely and focus on direction supervision if wished to continue.
"His prime is over and it is time for him to retire. It's enough", expressed a fan on social media while many have seconded.
