With music legend A.R. Rahman helming the soundtrack for Thug Life, expectations soared when it was announced the film would feature a total of nine songs. Among the most anticipated was “Muththa Mazhai,” which quickly captured fans' attention after its release. However, as audiences streamed into theatres, many were left wondering - where was the song?

The absence of Muththa Mazhai sparked a flurry of memes and debates across social media, prompting curiosity and speculation among fans.

During the film’s audio launch, director Mani Ratnam addressed the growing chatter. He revealed that the film initially included only five songs, which later expanded to nine during production. However, he stressed the importance of preserving the film’s narrative momentum, stating, “When watching a film, a lengthy song can be a major distraction.”

In a recent interview with Puthiyathalaimurai, Mani Ratnam provided further insight into the decision.

“If the essence is understood, the reason behind our choices will become clear to everyone,” he said.

“In the past, audiences would go to theatres to experience songs as part of the film. But today, with platforms like YouTube, songs are consumed independently. Music and cinema have become two parallel experiences.”


He added that modern audiences are increasingly focused on story-driven content when in theatres, often showing less patience for elaborate song sequences.

“Even the best songs may not find a place in the final cut if they disrupt the flow. In such cases, we might rework them into the background score or reserve them for the end credits.”

These are the director's explanation on why the iconic song didn’t make it into Thug Life.

Source : Newsx, The Tribune