The Crossbill News Desk
The Supreme Court on Friday (June 13) issued a notice to the Karnataka government over an alleged de facto ban on the screening of the CBFC-certified Tamil film Thug Life, starring Kamal Haasan.
The petition, filed under Article 32 by Bengaluru resident M Mahesh Reddy, claims that the film's release has been obstructed through threats of violence and extra-constitutional directives issued by non-state actors, with tacit inaction from the state authorities, Deccan Herald reported.
A bench comprising Justices Prashant Kumar Mishra and Manmohan sought a response from the Karnataka government after hearing arguments from advocate A Velan, representing the petitioner.
“It is argued that a duly CBFC certified Tamil feature film Thug Life is not allowed to be screened in the theatres in the state of Karnataka. The so called ban under the threat of violence stems from not any lawful procedure from a deliberate campaign of terror including explicit threat of arson against cinema halls, incitement to a large scale violence targetting linguistic minorities,” the bench stated, reported the paper.
When the bench inquired if the matter pertained to Thug Life, the counsel replied that the state had neither registered an FIR nor taken action against those issuing threats, and instead had allegedly aligned itself with extremist groups.
The petition contends that although Thug Life—directed by Mani Ratnam and starring Padma Bhushan awardee Kamal Haasan—is slated for nationwide release on June 5, 2025, it has been unofficially banned in Karnataka due to a deliberate campaign of intimidation. It alleges that threats of arson against cinema halls and calls for communal violence have been made, specifically targeting linguistic minorities.
"This ban stems not from any lawful process, but from a deliberate campaign of terror, including explicit threats of arson against cinema halls, incitement to large-scale communal violence targeting linguistic minorities, and a chilling call for a repeat of past anti-Tamil riots," the petition stated.
Also read: Kamal Haasan Stalls ‘Thug Life’ Release in Karnataka Amid Language Row, Karnataka HC Criticises Lack of Apology
It further alleges that chauvinistic groups have previously targeted linguistic minorities such as Hindi speakers in Bengaluru, and the situation surrounding Thug Life reflects a broader erosion of constitutional order in the state.
The petition cited a recent incident involving Victory Cinema in Bengaluru, which had announced its intention to screen the film.
Following the announcement, Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (KRV) leader T A Narayana Gowda publicly threatened to set theatres on fire. Social media platforms, too, were allegedly used to incite violence, drawing parallels with past communal unrest.
Despite these developments, the state authorities reportedly failed to act, emboldening members of KRV to attempt a siege of the theatre.
The Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce subsequently announced it would not support the film's screening, citing safety concerns—an act the petitioner described as "a collapse of lawful authority."
When the film’s producer, Raaj Kamal Films International, approached the Karnataka High Court seeking protection, the petitioner claimed the proceedings appeared to prioritise appeasement over justice.
The plea seeks a direction from the Supreme Court ensuring safe, secure, and uninterrupted screening of Thug Life across Karnataka, in all theatres willing to exhibit the film. It also calls for stringent preventive measures against future intimidation related to any lawfully certified film.
Additionally, the petitioner urged the court to direct the criminal prosecution of individuals and organisational office-bearers who have issued threats or incited communal hatred, and to require the state government to submit a time-bound status report on the actions taken.
The petition, filed under Article 32 by Bengaluru resident M Mahesh Reddy, claims that the film's release has been obstructed through threats of violence and extra-constitutional directives issued by non-state actors, with tacit inaction from the state authorities, Deccan Herald reported.
A bench comprising Justices Prashant Kumar Mishra and Manmohan sought a response from the Karnataka government after hearing arguments from advocate A Velan, representing the petitioner.
“It is argued that a duly CBFC certified Tamil feature film Thug Life is not allowed to be screened in the theatres in the state of Karnataka. The so called ban under the threat of violence stems from not any lawful procedure from a deliberate campaign of terror including explicit threat of arson against cinema halls, incitement to a large scale violence targetting linguistic minorities,” the bench stated, reported the paper.
When the bench inquired if the matter pertained to Thug Life, the counsel replied that the state had neither registered an FIR nor taken action against those issuing threats, and instead had allegedly aligned itself with extremist groups.
The petition contends that although Thug Life—directed by Mani Ratnam and starring Padma Bhushan awardee Kamal Haasan—is slated for nationwide release on June 5, 2025, it has been unofficially banned in Karnataka due to a deliberate campaign of intimidation. It alleges that threats of arson against cinema halls and calls for communal violence have been made, specifically targeting linguistic minorities.
"This ban stems not from any lawful process, but from a deliberate campaign of terror, including explicit threats of arson against cinema halls, incitement to large-scale communal violence targeting linguistic minorities, and a chilling call for a repeat of past anti-Tamil riots," the petition stated.
Also read: Kamal Haasan Stalls ‘Thug Life’ Release in Karnataka Amid Language Row, Karnataka HC Criticises Lack of Apology
It further alleges that chauvinistic groups have previously targeted linguistic minorities such as Hindi speakers in Bengaluru, and the situation surrounding Thug Life reflects a broader erosion of constitutional order in the state.
The petition cited a recent incident involving Victory Cinema in Bengaluru, which had announced its intention to screen the film.
Following the announcement, Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (KRV) leader T A Narayana Gowda publicly threatened to set theatres on fire. Social media platforms, too, were allegedly used to incite violence, drawing parallels with past communal unrest.
Despite these developments, the state authorities reportedly failed to act, emboldening members of KRV to attempt a siege of the theatre.
The Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce subsequently announced it would not support the film's screening, citing safety concerns—an act the petitioner described as "a collapse of lawful authority."
When the film’s producer, Raaj Kamal Films International, approached the Karnataka High Court seeking protection, the petitioner claimed the proceedings appeared to prioritise appeasement over justice.
The plea seeks a direction from the Supreme Court ensuring safe, secure, and uninterrupted screening of Thug Life across Karnataka, in all theatres willing to exhibit the film. It also calls for stringent preventive measures against future intimidation related to any lawfully certified film.
Additionally, the petitioner urged the court to direct the criminal prosecution of individuals and organisational office-bearers who have issued threats or incited communal hatred, and to require the state government to submit a time-bound status report on the actions taken.
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