It is widely known that Thug Life, the latest film of Kamal Haasan, faced a ban in Karnataka because of a controversial statement of the actor. Now, the Supreme Court steps in and responds to the alleged threats to Thug Life screening in Karnataka.
On Friday, June 13, the Supreme Court told the State of Karnataka to respond to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) that questions the ‘extra-judicial ban’ on screening the Tamil movie Thug Life, featuring Kamal Haasan and directed by Mani Ratnam.
Supreme Court Responds to the threats related to Thug Life Screenig in Karnataka
A bench comprising Justice Prashant Kumar Mishra and Justice Manmohan posted the petition, filed by one Mahesh Reddy, for next Tuesday. The Supreme Court steps in and responds to the alleged threats to the Thug Life screening in Karnataka.
The petitioner’s lawyer argued that Karnataka has surrendered to extremists targeting linguistic minorities and demanding theater burnings if Kamal Haasan’s Thug Life gets screened.
“It is argued that a duly CBFC-certified Tamil feature film, “Thug Life,” is not allowed to be screened in the theaters in the State of Karnataka. The so-called ban under threat of violence stems not from any lawful process but from a deliberate campaign of terror, including explicit threats of arson against cinema halls and incitement of large-scale violence targeting linguistic minorities. Considering the urgency shown and the issue brought before this court, we issue notice to the respondent,” the bench observed in the order.
Thug Life Ban in Karnataka: Kamal Haasan seeked the help of Court earlier
On June 9, Advocate Navpreet Kaur, representing the petitioner, highlighted the urgent need for listing due to the ‘law and order situation in Karnataka.’
“Fringe elements and organizations are giving an open threat to set the theaters on fire if they display a Tamil movie. Such is the intensity of the threats…we are here seeking protection for cinemas and theaters,” the counsel submitted.