Supreme Court Strikes Down Karnataka's Ban on Kamal Haasan's Thug Life

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The Supreme Court of India has sharply criticized the Karnataka government for its "extra-judicial ban" on the screening of Thug Life, a Tamil film starring Kamal Haasan and directed by Mani Ratnam. The court emphasized that mob threats cannot override the rule of law, ordering the state to ensure the film’s release.

The ruling came after a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by M. Mahesh Reddy, a Bengaluru resident, who claimed Karnataka was blocking the film’s screening despite approval from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). The issue began when Haasan, at the film’s audio launch on May 24, said, “Kannada was born out of Tamil,” prompting protests from pro-Kannada groups who demanded an apology.

Justices Ujjal Bhuyan and Manmohan, hearing the case, slammed the Karnataka High Court for suggesting Haasan apologize. “The High Court has no business asking for an apology,” Justice Manmohan said. The bench emphasized that people are free to express their views, and disagreements should be addressed through discussion, not violence. “You can’t threaten to burn theaters over a statement,” Justice Bhuyan added, warning against letting “troublemakers” control what films can be shown.

The Supreme Court took over the case from the Karnataka High Court, asking the state’s response by June 18 and setting the next hearing for Thursday. It made clear that any CBFC-approved film must be allowed to screen across India without interference.“The rule of law demands that filmmakers cannot fear cinemas being burnt down.” the court said, stressing the importance of upholding the rule of law.

Also Read: Bengaluru Theatres Seek Court Protection for 'Thug Life' Release

Thug Life, which brings Haasan and Ratnam together again after their 1987 hit Nayakan, hit theaters nationwide on June 5 but was blocked in Karnataka due to the protests. The court’s decision is a strong statement in favor of protecting artistic freedom against mob-driven censorship.