The Supreme Court on Thursday pulled up the Karnataka government for its handling of the controversy surrounding actor Kamal Haasan’s remarks on the origins of the Kannada language, made during the promotions of his film Thug Life. The court directed the state to facilitate the film's smooth release, firmly stating that no unofficial or cultural boycott can override freedom of expression or disrupt a film’s distribution.
The controversy began when Haasan, during a promotional event, claimed that the Kannada language was born out of Tamil, sparking widespread outrage among Kannada-speaking communities. His comments triggered a wave of protests across Karnataka, leading to an informal ban on the film’s release in theatres by several distributors and pro-Kannada groups.
Responding to Haasan’s plea to ensure the release of Thug Life in Karnataka, the Supreme Court questioned the state's role in the controversy. During the hearing, the bench asked the Karnataka government why it reacted to what it described as a “publicity stunt” instead of addressing it through legal channels or dialogue.
The Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) had earlier demanded a public apology from Haasan as a condition for the film’s release in the state. Haasan, however, stood firm, defending his remarks as an expression of historical perspective and affection, and chose to approach the apex court instead of issuing an apology.
In its affidavit to the Supreme Court, the Karnataka government maintained that it was not opposed to the film itself but objected to the actor's comments, which it said “hurt the sentiments of Kannadigas.” However, the court questioned the logic of penalising a film and its crew for a statement made by the actor during promotions.
Calling for restraint and urging the state to uphold constitutional freedoms, the court instructed authorities to ensure that Thug Life faces no obstacles in reaching theatres across Karnataka. It also reminded the state machinery that public order concerns must be dealt with using appropriate legal avenues, not through informal bans.
Meanwhile, although the film released nationwide on June 5, its box office performance has been underwhelming.
