The Supreme Court on Tuesday ruled that Kamal Haasan’s film Thug Life cannot be barred from screening in Karnataka due to threats from fringe groups.
A bench of Justices Ujjal Bhuyan and Manmohan emphasized that the “rule of law must prevail,” rejecting attempts to enforce a de facto ban through intimidation.
The court also transferred a related case from the Karnataka High Court to itself for further adjudication.
Controversy Over Haasan’s Remarks
The backlash began after Haasan stated that “Kannada was born out of Tamil,” sparking calls for a boycott of his film.
Pro-Kannada groups, including the Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (KRV), allegedly threatened to “burn theaters” if the movie was released. Despite having a valid CBFC certificate, exhibitors hesitated due to security concerns, leading to an unofficial ban.
Court Slams State Inaction
The bench criticized Karnataka authorities for failing to act against threats, observing, “We can’t allow theatres to be burnt under fear. The film must release, whether people watch it or not is their choice.”
The court dismissed the state’s argument that the producer was negotiating a resolution, stressing that a CBFC-approved film cannot be blocked by mob pressure.
Petitioner’s Allegations
The plea, filed by Bengaluru resident M Mahesh Reddy, highlighted:
KRV members attempted to lay siege to Victory Cinema on June 1.
The Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) announced a “ban” under pressure.
No FIRs were lodged despite public threats, including a social media post referencing anti-Tamil riots.
High Court’s Focus on Apology Criticized
While the film’s producer sought police protection from the Karnataka High Court, proceedings shifted to whether Haasan should apologize, a move the petitioner called “appeasement.”
The Supreme Court intervened, directing the state to file a counter-affidavit by Wednesday and listing the matter for Thursday.
The case underscores the judiciary’s stand against vigilantism and its push to protect creative expression from coercion.
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