Karnataka assures security for 'Thug Life' release; producer told not to proceed till KFCC issue settled
'Thug Life'
NEW DELHI: Reminded on Tuesday of its duty to uphold rule of law and protect citizen's right to free speech, Karnataka govt on Wednesday told the
Supreme Court
that if the film 'Thug Life' is released in the state theatres it will take every step to maintain law and order and provide security to those associated with screening and viewers.
In an affidavit filed on the eve of the Thursday hearing before a bench of Justices Ujjal Bhuyan and Manmohan, the state govt through counsel D L Chidanand assured that 'in the event the producers of the film decide to release the movie in Karnataka, the state govt is duty bound and will give protection and security for such release and for the people connected therewith, including the cast, director, producers, the exhibitors, and the audience.
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It said the state has not imposed any restriction on the release of the movie 'Thug Life', which has been duly certified by the Central Board of Film Certification.
However, it said during the June 3 hearing before Karnataka HC, the film producer Rajkamal Films International had given an undertaking to the HC that it 'will not release the movie in Karnataka till they resolve the issue with Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC).'
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SC on Tuesday transferred the producer's petition from the HC to itself.
KFCC, the apex body of Karnataka film industry, had written a letter to Hasan on May 30 expressing its displeasure at certain statements made by him at a promotional event and had sought his apology. The HC during the hearing had repeatedly asked why Hasan was so reluctant to apologize or express regret when public sentiment is hurt.
In contrast, the SC bench of Justices Bhuyan and Manmohan on Tuesday had observed that 'The HC had no business to seek regret or apology.
As a custodian of rule of law and protector of rights, it should have considered the issue of whether a CBFC cleared film be allowed to be released in theatres of the state… Public sentiment does not mean a gun is put to the head of the theatre owners to stop screening of the film.'
On the threat of violence issued by a vigilante group, the bench had said, 'The Rule of Law demands that the film be released in the theatres of Karnataka. As democratic state, Karnataka cannot allow mobs to jeopardise the rule of law. The state must ensure that the rule of law prevails'
In its affidavit, the Siddaramaiah govt told the SC that it is 'the duty and responsibility of the state govt to uphold the fundamental rights of its citizens and in maintaining the 'Rule of Law' in the state, and the state govt and its instrumentalities are committed in discharging such duties and protecting the fundamental rights of its citizens, including the fundamental rights of the stakeholders involved in the present issue.
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India Gazette
34 minutes ago
- India Gazette
'Thug Life' row: SC directs Karnataka Govt to take action against fringe persons obstructing release of Kamal Hassan's film
New Delhi [India], June 19 (ANI): The Supreme Court on Thursday directed the Karnataka government to take appropriate action under the criminal and civil law against any person or group who may attempt to forcibly obstruct the release of Kamal Haasan's new film 'Thug Life', A bench of Justices Ujjal Bhuyan and Manmohan disposed of the matter after satisfying itself of the submissions made by all parties before it regarding the issue. In the hearing today the apex court noted the submissions of all parties before it -- the PIL petitioner, all the respondents that included State of Karnataka and an intervener Karnataka Sahitya Parishat who filed an application flagging certain issues regarding the perception of the release of Kamal Hassan's film, among the Kannada people. The counsel appearing for the interveners Parishat, submitted that there's agitation among people in Karnataka over the release of 'Thug Life' over recent controversial remark made by the lead actor of the film, Kamal Haasan. However, the SC questioned the Parishat over it's stance regarding violent threats against the release. 'Do you support the (threats over) burning of the theatres. What is your stand regarding the people who want to watch the movie or not to see the movie?', Justice Bhuyan asked the respondent Parishat. After making its submissions, the counsel representing the Parishat undertook that they would not support any fringe elements resorting to any violence. The State government of Karnataka also filed its response before the Supreme Court regarding the controversy surrounding the release of Kamal Haasan's film 'Thug Life' in the State. In it's affidavit, (response) the Karnataka government stated that it has not imposed any restriction on the release of the movie 'Thug Life' and the State government will duly provide protection and security for such release and for the people connected to the film, if the producers of the film decide to release the movie in Karnataka. During the hearing, the apec court asked the counsel representing Karnataka what is the state doing regarding threat being issued. 'What do you intend to do against the persons who are issuing violent threats against theatres?', the court stated. The counsel responded by submitting that if they (fringe persons) indulge in any such action, action will be taken against them. The top-court also expressed its displeasure over the regressive stance of some people and the state administration against the right to speech and expression. 'Movie should be stopped, stand up comedy should be stopped, nobody should be allowed to recite a poem. They (state) are hiding behind these (mob) groups. There is no end to hurting sentiments. If a stand up comedian says something, everyone's' hurt. Then there's vandalism, now this with a drama movie... Where are we heading?' Justice Bhuyan asked. The state of Karnataka, along with other respondents, ensured the top court that it will respect the right of free speech and expression of everyone, including the persons associated with the said film. The petitioner, in their submission, urged the court to issue certain directions in the form of guidelines to be followed regarding the safe release of the movie. After hearing submissions of all parties, the SC stated that all parties in connection with the matter will abide by their statements made before this court. Thus, it closed the matter. The issue arose over an alleged controversial statement which was recently made by actor Kamal Haasan over Kannada language leading to agitation in the State against the release of the Tamil actor's movie 'Thug Life' in Karnataka. Hassan has allegedly said, 'Kannada was born out of Tamil'. (ANI)
Scroll.in
5 hours ago
- Scroll.in
SC directs Karnataka to act against those obstructing release of Kamal Haasan's ‘Thug Life'
The Supreme Court on Thursday directed the Karnataka government to take action against anybody who 'tries to forcibly obstruct the release' of the film Thug Life, starring actor and politician Kamal Haasan, reported Bar and Bench. Taking note of the state government's submission that it would provide ' full protection and security ' for the screening of Thug Life if the producers decide to release it in Karnataka, a bench of Justices Ujjal Bhuyan and Manmohan closed the public interest litigation seeking the film's screening. On June 3, Haasan's production house told the Karnataka High Court that it would not seek to release the film in the state amid a row over his remark that the Kannada language 'was born out of Tamil'. Haasan made the remarks on May 24 at the audio launch for Thug Life in Chennai, after which pro-Kannada organisations held protests demanding that he apologise for them. During the hearing on Thursday, the Supreme Court voiced its disappointment with the state for yielding to pressure from certain groups who claimed their sentiments were hurt by Haasan's statements, reported Live Law. The bench said this had resulted in the stalling of artistic pursuits. 'Just because of an opinion a movie is stopped, a stand up comedian is stopped, a person is stopped from reciting a poem,' the court said, according to Bar and Bench. 'You [state] succumbed to their pressure. In such circumstances state has a duty. Simply saying ban is not imposed will take it nowhere.' It further highlighted that 'in India, there will be no end to hurt sentiments'. On Tuesday, the court criticised the Karnataka government for the 'extra-judicial ban' on the screening of the film. The bench had also said that it was the state government's responsibility to ensure the screening of any film with a certificate from the Central Board of Film Certification. Haasan's remarks At the audio launch in Chennai on May 24, Haasan described his bond with the Tamil language with the words: ' Uyire Urave Tamizhe [My life and my family is Tamil].' He addressed Kannada actor Shivarajkumar, who was at the event, and said: 'Actor Shivarajkumar is my family living in another state… Your language was born out of Tamil. So, you are included in that line.' The actor's remarks sparked a furore in Karnataka, with pro-Kannada group Karnataka Rakshana Vedike threatening to boycott his film. Members of the group tore posters of the film Thug Life in Bengaluru to protest the actor-politician's remarks. Other pro-Kannada organisations also staged protests in Bengaluru, Belagavi, Hubballi and Mysuru, demanding an apology from the actor. On May 28, Haasan sought to clarify his remarks and said: 'I think what I said was said with a lot of love. Historians have taught me the language's history… I didn't mean anything.' The film is directed by Mani Ratnam. Among its producers is Red Giant Movies, a company owned by Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam leader Udhayanidhi Stalin. The film has been dubbed in several languages, including Kannada.
New Indian Express
6 hours ago
- New Indian Express
Just because someone's sentiment is hurt, movie, stand-up comedy can't be stopped, says SC on Thug life ban
NEW DELHI: Taking strong exception to criminal elements obstructing the screening of Kamal Haasan-starrer Thug Life, the Supreme Court on Thursday directed the Karnataka government to act against those who create hindrances even as it underscored that a movie, stand-up comedy or a poem's recital can't be stopped simply because someone's sentiments are hurt. During the course of the hearing of a PIL filed by Bengaluru resident M Mahesh Reddy, challenging the ban on the screening of Tamil feature film Thug Life in Karnataka, the apex court made pertinent observations about the way artistic creations are being stalled due to protests by groups who claim that their sentiments were hurt. A bench of Justices Ujjal Bhuyan and Manmohan said, "There is no end to hurt sentiments in India. If a stand-up comedian says something, sentiments are hurt and there is vandalism and protests. Where are we heading?" Does it mean because of protests, a movie should be stopped or stand up comedy should be stopped or reciting of poems be stopped?" The bench went onto say that it did not want a situation to crop up in which someone's sentiment was hurt by utterances and the movie was stalled from releasing, or a standup show was cancelled or an artist was stopped from reciting a poem. The court directed the State of Karnataka that if any individual or group prevents the release of a movie or resorts to coercion or violence, the State shall act promptly by taking action under criminal and civil law, including make them pay for the damages. The apex court, after recording the Karnataka government's assurance that it would provide adequate security to cinema theatres screening the film, closed the PIL filed by Mahesh Reddy. Earlier, advocate A Velan, for the petitioner (Reddy), argued that the State has not taken any action against those persons who issued the threats against the film and that its affidavit is silent about that issue. He pointed out that the Supreme Court has issued various guidelines with respect to mob vigilantism and hate speeches, which the State was bound to follow in the instant case. Opposing these submissions, the State's counsel stated that the petitioner was referring to cases where the Governments imposed bans on films and that those judgments are not applicable here as the State has not banned the film. The bench appreciated the stand taken by the State. Kamal Haasan's Raj Kamal Film International Ltd, one of the producers of the film, expressed satisfaction with the State's stand. The bench then proposed to close the case. The Counsel appearing for RajKamal Film International Ltd said though they had lost Rs 30 crore (in revenue) so far, they had no problems if the state agreed to provide security for screening of the film. The top court questioned the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) for seeking an apology from veteran actor Kamal Haasan over his remark that Kannada was born out of Tamil. "We cannot allow this to happen. Just because of an opinion, should a movie be stopped? A stand-up comedy should be stopped? Recital of a poem should be stopped?," the bench asked. However, counsel for KFCC said that they did not issue any threats but only issued a letter that there was widespread protests across the state and kindly consider issuing an apology. The KFCC counsel that the mob entered their offices and after that they had issued a letter. Justice Bhuyan asked if KFCC had made any complaint to the police in this regard. "You actually succumbed to mob pressure. Did you go to the police? No. That means you have no complaints against them. You are just hiding behind them," he observed. The KFCC counsel said that they would abide by any order passed by the court.
