Kamal Haasan's film Thug Life continues to be entangled in controversy and legal drama that has clearly affected its box office collection. The film faced threats from the pro-Kannada members in Karnataka, and the makers have recently alleged that the government failed to protect the screening.
The film's makers petitioned the Supreme Court seeking protection from threats against screening the film in Karnataka. They claimed that no FIR was filed despite threats. However, the SC has asked the Karnataka government to respond to the plea.
The petitioners alleged that despite CBFC certification, the film Thug Life faces an effective ban in Karnataka due to violent threats from private groups, with state authorities failing to intervene.
The petitioners’ plea further argued that the violent threats violate the fundamental right to freedom of speech and expression under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution. They also argued that the right applies to filmmakers as well as the public who want to view films.
According to Hindustan Times, Advocate A Velan said, “A fringe group issued threats of large-scale violence, including the burning of theatres and attacks against members of the Tamil linguistic minority residing in Karnataka. Despite these open and public threats, not a single FIR was registered, nor was any prosecution initiated by the State Government."
The lawyer added, "On the contrary, the government appeared to adopt the position of the very fringe elements that issued those threats. We are aggrieved by this inaction and are now before the Supreme Court, seeking enforcement of this Court’s past directions."
Also Read: Pro Kannada groups call for ban on Kamal Haasan's Thug Life in Karnataka after his comments
Meanwhile, a bench of Justices Prashant Kumar Mishra and Manmohan have recently issued notices to the Karnataka government, the State police, Raaj Kamal Films International Private Limited and the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) asking for a response to the makers’ plea.
For the unversed, the controversy sparked after Kamal Haasan alleged that “Kannada was born out of Tamil” while promoting his film, Thug Life. The comment sparked a controversy with the film facing a ban in Karnataka.
Directed by Mani Ratnam, the action thriller also stars Silambarasan, Trisha Krishnan, Aishwarya Lekshmi, Abhirami, and Ashok Selvan in pivotal roles.
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