The film, once touted as a pan-India spectacle, has been marred by controversy. Kamal’s recent remarks on the Kannada language sparked a major backlash, leading to the film’s release being stalled in Karnataka — a blow that continues to reverberate in its overall collections.

But the real knockout punch came from Housefull 5. The Akshay Kumar-led comedy franchise, known for its commercial prowess, matched Thug Life’s two-day total in just 24 hours, raking in ₹23 crore on its opening day. While Thug Life earned a mere ₹65 lakh in the Hindi market on Day 1, its Day 2 earnings slipped even further to just ₹25–35 lakh — with Hindi occupancy sinking to a dismal 6.48%.

Even in its stronghold — Tamil Nadu — the film struggled, clocking only a 31.41% occupancy rate on Friday. In stark contrast, Kamal’s 2022 action hit Vikram had roared past ₹60 crore in its first two days. Even the critically panned Indian 2 managed ₹44 crore — nearly double of Thug Life’s current haul.

Despite the big names and grand ambitions, Thug Life is finding it hard to hold its ground — facing fierce competition, controversy, and critical comparison. The coming days will be crucial to determine whether it can claw its way back… or fade into box office oblivion.