Kamal Haasan’s Thug Life has been bringing waves at the box office right from its opening day. Mani Ratnam’s stylish direction alongside an ensemble cast featuring Haasan, Silambarasan, Trisha Krishnan, Abhirami, Aishwarya Lekshmi, Ashok Selvan, Joju George, Nassar, Ali Fazal, Rohit Saraf and Baburaj in key roles, has been liked by many. Contrary to this, the film has also been garnering mixed-to-negative reviews from movie buffs and critics for its nearly disappointing script. But did you know Dulquer Salmaan was the initial choice for the gangster action drama, and he rejected it? Dulquer Salmaan was the first choice for casting in the Tamil movie Thug Life, produced by Raaj Kamal Films International, Madras Talkies and Red Giant Movies. However, he declined the offer due to reasons best known to the actor. Post the movie’s trailer release, social media users criticised Salmaan’s choice of opting out of Thug Life, only to realise months after that it was one of his ‘greatest decisions’. Here’s Why — After Thug Life’s disappointing reactions, social media users flooded the platforms, complimenting Salmaan for his decision to exit the project, highlighting his praise-worthy script selection skills. One of his ardent fans wrote, “After the trailer, everyone trolled him for his decision. Now after watching the movie, everyone is celebrating his decision.” After the trailer everyone trolled him from his decision now after watching the movie everyone is celebrating his decision #ThugLife #DQ #DulquerSalmaan pic.twitter.com/BIINkQehCR — MiGr@De (@am_Migrade) June 5, 2025 Another user said, “Turning down the role in Thug Life was one of the GREATEST decisions Dulquer Salmaan ever made!” Turning down the role in Thug Life was one of the GREATEST decisions Dulquer Salmaan ever made!#ThugLifeFDFS #Thuglife #DulquerSalman #KamalHaasan #ManiRatnam pic.twitter.com/RkeVQZztaO — Muhammed Falka ♐ (@muhammedfalka) June 5, 2025 Someone noted, “Dulquer Salmaan, The Man of Intellectuality and fortune. Great escape from #ThugLife. Thank you Bro.” Dulquer Salmaan The Man of intellectual and fortunate ?Great escape from #ThugLife Thank you Bro?#ThugLife #ThuglifeFromJune5 #Kamalhaasan #Simbu #ThugLifeReview #thuglifevikatanexclusive #DulquerSalmaan ??? pic.twitter.com/Y6MpndbR7Z — Saseendran P (@SaseendranP12) June 5, 2025 “If Script Selection is an Art Dulquer Salmaan is Picasso on it ..” read a comment lauding Salmaan for picking up great scripts while subtly pointing out his decision to exit from Thug Life. If Script Selection is an Art Dulquer Salmaan is Picasso on it ..?? pic.twitter.com/DgWAFPQBiI — I'm So Wasted ? (@BloodyTweetz) June 5, 2025 Dulquer Salmaan was offered the role of Amar in the multi-starrer project – a part which then eventually passed on to Silambarasan, known for his performance in the 2010 Tamil film Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa, co-starring Trisha Krishnan, Samantha Ruth Prabhu and Naga Chaitanya. The Sita Ramam actor was officially cast in the film along with Ravi Mohan and Gautham Karthik. As per reports, all three of them opted out of Thug Life in March last year apparently due to scheduling issues and production delays. But then, social media users believed that Salmaan lost the chance to work with great icons of the film industry, including Kamal Haasan, Nassar and Mani Ratnam. Things became more clear after the movie’s release when Thug Life, co-written by the director and the lead actor, wasn’t able to strike a chord with many viewers, who expected the movie to be a powerful cinematic experience. Talking about Salmaan’s work front, he has a number of films in his pipeline, including I’m Game, Aakasam Lo Oka Tara and Kaantha, as well as a cameo in Kalyani Priyadarshan and Naslen’s upcoming projects, produced by the Kurup star himself.