Veteran actor and filmmaker Kamal Haasan has approached the Karnataka High Court seeking legal intervention to facilitate the release of his upcoming Tamil-language film, Thug Life, in Karnataka. The move comes after the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) imposed a ban on the film due to a controversial remark made by Haasan regarding the Kannada language.
During a promotional event in Chennai, Haasan stated that “Kannada was born from Tamil,” a comment that sparked significant backlash from Kannada language supporters and cultural organizations. In response, the KFCC demanded a public apology from Haasan, threatening to ban the film’s release in the state. When Haasan refused to apologize, asserting that his statement was made out of affection and not intended to offend, the KFCC proceeded with the ban.
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In his petition, filed through his production company Raaj Kamal Films International, Haasan has requested the court to direct the state government, police, and relevant film authorities to refrain from obstructing the film’s release and to provide necessary security at theatres showing the movie. aka Rakshana Vedike, which have warned Bengaluru theatres against screening Thug Life. These groups view Haasan’s remarks as disrespectful to the Kannada language and culture.
Thug Life, directed by Mani Ratnam, marks a reunion between Ratnam and Haasan after their 1987 film Nayakan. The film features a star-studded cast, including Silambarasan, Trisha Krishnan, and Pankaj Tripathi, with music composed by A. R. Rahman. It is scheduled for a worldwide release on June 5, 2025, in standard and IMAX formats.
As the release date approaches, the outcome of Haasan’s legal plea will determine whether Thug Life will be screened in Karnataka, amidst ongoing debates over linguistic pride and freedom of expression.