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At the grand audio launch of 'Thug Life,' held at Chennai's Sairam College, Silambarasan TR(STR) captivated fans and media with his heartfelt speech. The actor spoke with emotion and gratitude as he reflected on the turning points of his career and his deep admiration for key collaborators on the film.
With the movie set to release on June 5, the audio event served as a celebration of cinema, friendship, and redemption.Silambarasan's emotional journey with Mani RatnamSilambarasan reserved special praise for director Mani Ratnam, revealing how deeply the filmmaker had influenced him. “After watching 'Anjali,' I cried and wondered why Mani sir didn’t cast me. I thought he’d never call someone like me,” he confessed. Years later, when he was going through a professional slump and directors were hesitant to approach him, Mani Ratnam offered him a film.
“When I got a call from his office, I asked if it was really him.
He said yes. That trust meant the world to me,” STR said, referring to his comeback role in 'Chekka Chivantha Vaanam.' He also shared that Mani Ratnam had even approached him for 'Ponniyin Selvan,' which didn’t materialize due to other commitments.A.R. Rahman’s support during STR’s tough phaseThe actor also spoke movingly about A.R. Rahman’s role in his musical journey.
He recalled the difficult period during the “Beep Song” controversy and how Rahman supported him with the soulful track Thalli Pogathey. “Rahman sir gave me a chance when no one else would. He let me sing in a film produced by my father. I’ve been bothering him since childhood—and I still do!” he said with a smile, acknowledging the composer’s unwavering support over the years.A Special Shoutout to Kamal Haasan and the Team
Calling 'Thug Life' a truly special project, STR said working with Kamal Haasan was a dream come true. He shared how Kamal Haasan's humility, still calling himself a student of cinema, inspires him. The event saw the entire team in attendance, including Mani Ratnam, AR Rahman, Trisha, and Abhirami, making it a star-studded, emotionally charged celebration ahead of the film’s June 5 release.
English (US)