Dulquer Salmaan's fans are expressing relief and gratitude after the release of Thug Life, a Tamil gangster action film starring Kamal Haasan and directed by Mani Ratnam. The film, which hit theaters on June 5, 2025, has received mixed to negative reviews, leading many to believe that Salmaan dodged a bullet by opting out of the project.

Initially, Dulquer Salmaan was cast in a key role, reportedly as Amar, which was eventually played by Silambarasan TR. However, in March 2024, it was reported that Salmaan had to exit the project due to scheduling conflicts with his other film commitments. The makers officially announced his inclusion along with actors like Ravi Mohan and Gautham Karthik. However, all three of them later opted out of the project due to production delays.

Thug Life marks the reunion of Kamal Haasan and Mani Ratnam after their 1987 classic, Nayakan. The film boasts an ensemble cast including Kamal Haasan, Silambarasan, Trisha Krishnan, Abhirami, Aishwarya Lekshmi, Ashok Selvan, Joju George, Nassar, Ali Fazal, Rohit Saraf and Baburaj. The film revolves around Rangaraaya Sakthivel Naicker (Kamal Haasan), an aging gangster, and his adopted son Amar (Silambarasan), exploring themes of legacy, betrayal, and redemption.

However, upon release, Thug Life failed to impress many viewers. Critics and audiences have pointed out issues with the film's story and character development, despite praising the direction and Kamal Haasan's performance. This lukewarm reception has led to a wave of support for Dulquer Salmaan's decision to leave the film.

Dulquer's fans have taken to social media to express their relief, praising his script choices and career decisions. Many believe that he made a wise choice by prioritizing other projects. Some fans who initially criticized his decision are now celebrating it, recognizing that Thug Life may not have been the right fit for him.

Following his exit from Thug Life, Dulquer Salmaan starred in Lucky Baskhar, which has been well-received. This has further fueled the narrative that he made the right decision. Netizens are lauding Salmaan for escaping what they see as a potential setback in his career.

The situation highlights the unpredictable nature of the film industry. Despite the star power of Kamal Haasan and Mani Ratnam, Thug Life has not lived up to expectations, while Dulquer Salmaan continues to be praised for his recent film choices.