Supreme Court raps Karnataka High Court, backs release of Kamal Hassan’s Thug Life

Kamal Haasan

The Supreme Court heard the PIL of Kamal Haasan oppositng the ban on his latest release Thug Life in Karnataka over his remarks that Kannada was born out of Tamil.

SC pulled up Karnataka HC and said 'cannot allow mob, vigilante to take over streets, film 'Thug life' must be released in Karnataka.'

The Supreme Court further said Karnataka HC should not have sought apology from Kamal Haasan over his remarks, transfers case related to 'Thug Life' to apex court.

The SC has given one-day time to Karnataka government to apprise it about release of film 'Thug Life' in state, says rule of law must be established.

Sc said to Karnataka government, "If actor Kamal Haasan said something, let people debate it, but film cannot be stopped from screening in theatres."

The Supreme Court has granted the Karnataka government one day to provide an update on the status of the film Thug Life being released in the state.

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This came during the hearing of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Mahesh Reddy, who requested the court to intervene and permit the screening of the film.

The movie's release in Karnataka was halted after certain groups issued threats, reportedly in response to comments made by Kamal Haasan — a producer of the film — claiming that "Kannada was born out of Tamil."

Thug Life, marking the reunion of Kamal Haasan with director Mani Ratnam since their 1987 project Nayakan, was barred from release in Karnataka following controversy over Haasan’s comments about the Kannada language.

The 70-year-old actor’s remark, made during a promotional event in Chennai for the movie, triggered significant outrage in Karnataka. In response, the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) declared that the film would not be shown in the state unless Haasan issued an apology.