When Mani Ratnam offers you a film headlined by Kamal Haasan, you need to know nothing more to come aboard, shares South star Trisha Krishnan, as we sit down in Chennai to chat about the gangster action drama, Thug Life. “This combination was more than enough for me to be part of it,” she adds. It’s not just their genius as artistes but also her faith in the legends to utilise her well — despite a huge ensemble cast — that made her confident about the film.

“Kamal sir and Mani sir are [greats]. I always knew they wouldn’t ever waste [me] in a film, irrespective of the [character I] play in it. Being in the best of hands, [I was sure] Mani sir would fine-tune me into becoming the character. Kamal sir always makes sure that his co-actors have their space in the film. He is one of the most generous co-actors I have worked with,” she smiles.