Kamal Haasan Seeks Karnataka High Court’s Protection as ‘Thug Life’ Faces Boycott Threat
Actor’s remark on Kannada triggers protests, legal action filed for smooth release of Mani Ratnam’s ₹300 crore film
Bengaluru, June 2 — A week ago, it was all about the film. Now, it’s all about the fallout.
Kamal Haasan’s Thug Life, a much-awaited film set for release on June 5, is facing a growing storm in Karnataka. And this morning, the actor’s team knocked on the doors of the Karnataka High Court, asking for police protection and legal backing.
Why? Because the state’s largest film body — the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) — has refused to let the film be screened unless Haasan apologises for a remark he made about Kannada during a Chennai event last month. And protesters aren’t waiting for court orders — they’ve already taken to the streets.
It All Began With One Line
On May 24, at an audio launch event for Thug Life, Haasan spoke about the connection between Tamil and Kannada. One line — “Kannada came from Tamil” — was enough to trigger outrage. Whether he meant it in a historical-linguistic sense or not, people in Karnataka weren’t having it.
The fallout was quick. In cities like Hubballi, Belagavi, and Mysuru, supporters of groups like Karnataka Rakshana Vedike burnt posters and shouted slogans. The KFCC issued a 24-hour deadline: apologise or forget about a release here.
Haasan, for his part, didn’t issue a formal apology. What he did say, though, was this: “I was talking about shared Dravidian roots. Not insulting anyone. If someone felt hurt, I’ll explain — but I won’t be bullied into silence.”
It didn’t calm things down.
From Protests to Petition
With just days left for release and no guarantee of safety for theatres, Haasan’s production house, Raaj Kamal Films International, filed a petition. In short, they want the court to:
- Stop the KFCC or any group from interfering with the film’s release;
- Ensure police are deployed near theatres, especially in cities where protests have broken out;
- Reinforce that only the CBFC (Central Board of Film Certification), not a regional film body, has the authority to stop a film from being shown.
Their argument? Blocking a certified film violates Article 19(1)(g) of the Constitution — the right to do business. And with Karnataka being one of India’s top film markets, the financial hit could be major.
By the way, the film cost ₹300 crore to make. That’s a lot riding on box office numbers, and Karnataka’s share isn’t small.
Political Heat Builds
This wasn’t just about fans. Politicians jumped in too.
Karnataka’s Minister for Kannada and Culture, Shivaraj Tangadagi, said flat out that Haasan’s films shouldn’t be screened until he apologises. The Chief Minister, Siddaramaiah, didn’t name Haasan, but said, “Kannada doesn’t need validation. It stands proud and distinct.”
On the BJP’s side, B.Y. Vijayendra called Haasan’s comments a “slight” and said the actor should stop lecturing others about languages he doesn’t understand.
But over in Tamil Nadu, the script flipped. DMK leaders and other Tamil politicians backed Haasan. One MLA even warned that Tamil Nadu might reconsider letting Kannada films release there if Thug Life is blocked. That threat wasn’t taken kindly either.
Actor-politician Shivarajkumar, who was present at the Chennai event, first came out defending Haasan — saying the comment was misunderstood. A few days later, he pulled back and said he hadn’t fully caught what Haasan was saying on stage.
And actress Divya Spandana, always known for calling it like she sees it, said this: “Sure, the comment didn’t land well. But this boycott talk? It’s over the top. Maybe a calm conversation would go a longer way.”
Will the Film Release on June 5?
That’s the question now. As of today, the High Court hasn’t listed the case for urgent hearing. And theatres across Karnataka? Most of them are waiting. If they run the film and protests escalate, they’ll be blamed. If they don’t and the court allows it, they’ll lose money.
For many cinema owners, it’s a no-win situation.
And for viewers? You might want to wait till Wednesday or Thursday to know for sure if it’s playing at your local screen.
More Than Just One Film
This isn’t just about Thug Life anymore. This is about where the line is drawn — between freedom of expression and regional sentiment. It’s about who gets to decide whether a film is “allowed” to run. And it’s a test, in many ways, of how India balances art and identity.
If the court rules in Haasan’s favour, it may send a message: certified films can’t be blocked because someone doesn’t like what was said off-screen. But if the protest wins out, we may see more unofficial bans pop up — and fewer artists willing to speak their mind.
As one Bengaluru theatre manager put it, “We just want to show a film. But right now, even that feels risky.”
Source: Indian Express
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Rohit Khatri is a travel and lifestyle editor with a flair for storytelling, digital trends, and cultural exploration. With a background in digital marketing and a strong grasp of entertainment, he crafts engaging content that inspires modern journeys and connects with today’s experience-driven audience.
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