• Source:JND
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Kamal Haasan penned a special birthday note for director Mani Ratnam ahead of the release of their movie Thug Life. The veteran actor referred to him as a 'source of strength' in his life as he recounted their journey from Nayakan to their upcoming Tamil movie.

Kamal Haasan traced back his journey with Mani Ratnam and reflected on their decade old friendship. "Happy Birthday, Mani Ratnam. From Nayakan to Thug Life, we’ve journeyed through time together — as colleagues, family, co-dreamers, and above all, as lifelong students of cinema. Through every chapter, your presence has been a source of strength — a mind I turn to in moments of doubt, and a soul deeply attuned to the language of film like few others (sic)," he wrote on X (previously Twitter).

Kamal Haasan added, "May your stories keep unfolding, for with every frame, your vision brings depth, beauty, and meaning to cinema," he signed off as his 'dear friend.' The superstar's birthday wish coincided with controversy surrounding his claim that Tamil gave birth to Kannada at the Thug Life event in Chennai.

ALSO READ - Kamal Haasan Stands By 'Kannada Born Out Of Tamil' Remark Amid Protests: ‘Won’t Apologise For Something Said Out Of Love’

About Thug Life Movie

Thug Life, the next movie starring Kamal Haasan and Mani Ratnam, tells the tale of Sakthivel after he saves a boy named Amaran from a police shootout and raises him as his own. After Sakthivel survives an assassination attempt years later, the now-grown Amaran (Silambarasan) is suspected, leading to a confrontation.

The Tamil movie, which was co-written by Haasan and Ratnam, also stars Ashok Selvan, Joju George, Trisha Krishnan, Nasser, Abhirami, and Aishwarya Lekshmi in important parts. The music was written by A.R. Rahman, who has worked with Ratnam on a number of projects in the past.

ALSO READ - Thug Life Advance Booking Report: Kamal Haasan's Tamil Movie To Witness Record Breaking Opening Overseas

Mani Ratnam's Movies

Mani Ratnam turned 69 years old today. Nayakan (1987), Roja (1992), Bombay (1995), Iruvar (1997), Dil Se... (1998), Yuva (2004), Guru (2007), O Kadhal Kanmani (2015), and the Ponniyin Selvan series (2022, 2023) are just a few of the movies helmed by him. He is acknowledged as a master filmmaker, particularly in the Tamil film industry. The Indian government recognized Mani Ratnam's outstanding contribution to Indian cinema with the Padma Shri, the country's fourth-highest civilian honour in 2022.