Veteran filmmaker Mani Ratnam has dismissed reports suggesting he is collaborating with Tollywood actor Naveen Polishetty on an upcoming project. Speculation had been circulating that actress Rukmini Vasanth would play the female lead. In a recent interview, Ratnam clarified that he was unaware of such developments and labelled them as mere rumours. He added that he is currently working on several scripts, though it remains uncertain which one will be taken forward first.
Meanwhile, the director addressed the ongoing debate surrounding his upcoming film Thug Life, starring Kamal Haasan, Trisha, Abhirami, and Silambarasan. The film’s trailer, released recently, features romantic sequences between Kamal Haasan and both Trisha and Abhirami — sparking discussions online over the significant age gap between the lead actor and his co-stars.
Responding to the criticism, Ratnam urged viewers to focus on the characters rather than the actors. “Many people in real life are in relationships with considerable age differences — it’s not a new phenomenon. However, when it comes to cinema, some tend to find faults,” he said, defending the film’s casting choices and creative direction. Thug Life is scheduled for theatrical release on June 5.