Express Exclusive: Will not release Kamal Haasan’s ‘Thug Life’ in Karnataka, says distributor despite relief from Supreme Court

The Mani Ratnam-directed movie released on June 5 across India except in Karnataka, where its release was stalled following outrage over lead actor Haasan’s reported remark that “Tamil gave birth to Kannada”.

While hearing a PIL seeking the film’s release in Karnataka, the Supreme Court Tuesday said the rule of law demands that any film cleared by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) should be allowed to be screened, and “mobs and vigilante groups” cannot be allowed to “take over our streets”. It directed the state government to uphold the “rule of law” and ensure the film’s smooth release.

After the Supreme Court’s observations, pro-Kannada activists Wednesday demanded that theatre owners refrain from screening the movie. Kamalakar started getting calls from pro-Kannada activists and went to an anonymous location. Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar urged pro-Kannada organisations to abide by the Supreme Court order and said that the state government is ready to ensure the screening of the movie.

Sources said Kamalakar had reportedly paid nearly Rs 8 to 10 crore as an advance to get the film’s distribution rights for Karnataka and would seek a refund. A producer told The Indian Express that the movie’s distribution rights were bought much before the controversy, and for that, Kamalakar had collected an advance from theatre owners as well.

“Besides business, the pro-Kannada activists are already on the streets and theatre owners are also not keen to screen the movie, fearing attacks on the theatres. Why would someone take the risk of releasing the movie in such a scenario?” asked the producer.

On Wednesday, the Bengaluru police posted notices in front of the houses of several pro-Kannada activists. The letter stated that they were not allowed to stage a protest anywhere outside the designated protest area, which is Freedom Park. While the police attempted to hand over the notice to Praveen Shetty of Kannada Rakshana Vedike (KRV), he refused to accept any responsibility for the protests. Later, it was posted in front of his house in R T Nagar police limits.

The controversy began during the audio launch of Thug Life in Chennai on May 24, where Haasan reportedly said that “Tamil gave birth to Kannada”. It led to a warning by the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) that the film would be barred from release in the state unless Haasan issues a formal apology. Haasan then approached the Karnataka High Court seeking protection to ensure the smooth release of the film. The high court asked Haasan to apologise for his remark when hearing a petition filed by the film’s producers on June 3.

Hearing the PIL seeking the release of the movie in Karnataka, the Supreme Court Tuesday transferred the proceedings pending before the Karnataka High Court to itself and fixed it for hearing on Thursday. The Supreme Court, which issued a notice in the matter on June 13, told the state government’s counsel to file a counter-affidavit by Wednesday. It also criticised the Karnataka High Court for asking Haasan to apologise for his alleged remarks.