No Ban on Kamal Haasan’s Thug Life, Karnataka Govt Tells Supreme Court

The Karnataka government has clarified before the Supreme Court that it has not imposed any official restriction on the release of Kamal Haasan’s upcoming Tamil film Thug Life in the state. In an affidavit submitted on Wednesday, the state government said that while the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) had condemned the actor’s remarks and sought an apology, no legal or administrative ban was enforced against the film.

The clarification came after the Supreme Court sharply criticised attempts by certain groups to prevent the release of the film and questioned the Karnataka High Court’s stance in asking for an apology from Haasan. The top court reiterated that mob threats or public outrage cannot determine whether a film should be screened. “You cannot threaten to burn down cinemas because you disagree. Respond with words, not violence,” the bench stated.

The Karnataka government further informed the court that Raaj Kamal Films International, the production house behind Thug Life, had voluntarily submitted an undertaking to the Karnataka High Court that the film would not be released in the state until the issue with the KFCC was resolved.

In its affidavit, the Deputy Secretary of the Home Department (Law and Order), Vidhana Soudha, assured the Supreme Court that the state would provide full protection to the film’s release if and when the producers choose to screen it in Karnataka. The government pledged to ensure the safety of the cast, crew, producers, exhibitors, and the audience.

Earlier this week, the Supreme Court issued a notice over the alleged restrictions on the film, taking serious note of reports that some groups were attempting to block its release following Kamal Haasan’s controversial remarks. The court questioned the basis of the outrage, asserting that freedom of expression must be upheld in a democracy.

“There is something wrong with the system when one person makes a statement and everyone gets involved. Why should the High Court ask someone to express an apology? That is not its role,” the court observed.

The court also pointed out that once a film is cleared by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), it must be allowed to be exhibited. “People are free to watch it or not. That’s their choice. But threats of violence cannot be tolerated,” the bench said firmly.

The Supreme Court’s remarks and the Karnataka government’s assurance are expected to pave the way for a resolution, potentially allowing Thug Life to release across Karnataka in the near future—pending the producers’ final decision.

IT.