Who Is Amir Tataloo, Iran's Tattooed Rap Star Now Facing Death Sentence
New Delhi:
Iran's Supreme Court has sentenced renowned pop singer Amir Hossein Maghsoudloo, popularly known as Tataloo, to death after he was convicted of blasphemy, including insulting the Prophet Mohammed.
Earlier, he was handed a five-year prison sentence on similar charges; however, the case was later reopened following a prosecutor's objection. After the review, the court overturned the previous ruling and issued the death penalty in January this year.
Who Is Amir Hossein Maghsoudloo, aka Tataloo?
He was born on September 21, 1987, in Tehran, Iran. Due to his family's financial condition, he started working as a carpenter when he was 14 while continuing his studies. During high school, between 16 and 18, he was employed at a grocery store. After completing his studies, he decided to follow his passion and began pursuing a career in music.
His first single, which he released in 2003, marked the beginning of his career as an underground musician. He recorded the song Manam Yeki az un Yazdahtam (I'm Also One of Those Eleven Players) for the Iranian National Football Team at the 2014 FIFA World Cup. He is well-known for his distinctive fusion of pop, R&B, and rap.
He then released the pro-Iranian nuclear song Energy Hastei during the July 2015 Iran/5+1 nuclear talks in Vienna. The Iranian navy ship Damavand served as the production location for the song video. The song topped the Persian trending Google search. This song immediately caused controversy in Iran, mostly among Iranian Reformists who compared this song to Mohammadreza Shajarian's songs in support of the 2009 Iranian protests.
In 2016, he was arrested by the Iranian police, reportedly for promoting lyrics and a lifestyle that were seen as violating Islamic rules. In 2018, he moved to Turkey, where he created albums and organised big concerts. In 2020, he was under the spotlight again when he said that children under the age of 16 should be allowed to get married.
His first album, Zire Hamkaf, was released in 2021. Since then, he has put out 21 albums. He is the first Iranian to collaborate with Universal Music Group. He was handed over to Iran by Turkish authorities in 2023 and given a 10-year prison sentence for encouraging prostitution. He was also charged with disseminating propaganda against the Islamic Republic and spreading obscene content. He was given the death penalty in May after being found guilty of blasphemy in January.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
India Gazette
3 hours ago
- India Gazette
SC junks plea seeking protection of Karnataka theatres against alleged threats over screening of 'Thug Life'
ANI 09 Jun 2025, 14:43 GMT+10 New Delhi [India], June 9 (ANI): The Supreme Court on Monday refused to urgently hear a plea seeking protection of cinema halls or theatres in Karnataka against alleged threats over the screening of the Tamil movie 'Thug Life' starring Kamal Haasan. A bench of Justices PK Mishra and Manmohan rejected the plea and told the petitioner to approach the High Court. The plea had been filed by the Theatre Association of Karnataka. The counsel appearing for the petitioner stated that a law-and-order situation is arising in the State, as cinema halls are receiving threats from certain fringe elements. Further, the counsel stated that threats are being issued that the theatres will be set on fire. Hence, theatres in the State sought protection from the top court. However, the bench declined to entertain the plea and rejected it. Kamal Haasan leads the film as Rangaraaya Sakthivel Naicker, alongside Silambarasan TR, Trisha Krishnan, Ashok Selvan, Aishwarya Lekshmi, Joju George, Ali Fazal, Sanya Malhotra, and Rohit Saraf, among others. Directed by Mani Ratnam, Thug Life was recently released on June 5. The film is directed by Mani Ratnam, marking a highly anticipated reunion between the legendary director and Haasan after 38 years. (ANI)
Time of India
4 hours ago
- Time of India
Supreme Court rejects plea of Thug Life release in Karnataka: 'There are clear threats of arson'
Mani Ratnam's much-awaited film 'Thug Life,' starring Kamal Haasan and Silambarasan, hit theatres on June 5 to high expectations, following a strong promotional run that included impactful trailers and music. However, the release faced major hurdles in Karnataka after Kamal Haasan's comments on the Kannada language drew backlash. Several pro-Kannada groups objected to the actor's remarks, leading to calls for a ban on the film in the state. Pro-Kannada group threatens to burn theatres Among the protesting groups, the Kannada Rakshana Vedike issued a direct threat, warning that theatres screening 'Thug Life' would be set on fire. In response, the Karnataka Theatre Association filed a plea in the Supreme Court seeking security for cinemas planning to screen the film. The petition highlighted the growing unrest and requested central protection, citing the risk posed by the protestors' violent warnings. Supreme Court dismisses petition According to News 18, the case was heard by Justice P.K. Mishra, where the petitioner's counsel emphasized the open threats and real danger of violence. 'There are clear threats of arson if the film is released,' the lawyer argued. However, the judge dismissed the plea, saying, 'If you're afraid the theatres might be set on fire, keep fire extinguishers ready.' He further advised the petitioners to approach the High Court instead, as the matter did not warrant intervention by the apex court. Karnataka release of 'Thug Life' now hangs With the Supreme Court refusing to offer protection, the fate of the theatrical run of 'Thug Life' in Karnataka remains uncertain. Theatre owners now face a tough decision amid safety concerns, and it is yet to be seen whether the film will see a proper release across the state.
The Hindu
8 hours ago
- The Hindu
Supreme Court refuses urgent hearing on plea for protection of theatres screening 'Thug Life' in Karnataka
The Supreme Court on Monday (June 9, 2025) refused to grant an urgent hearing on a plea seeking protection against alleged threats over the screening of Kamal Haasan's film "Thug Life" in Karnataka theatres. A Bench comprising Justice Prashant Kumar Mishra and Justice Manmohan asked the theatre association from Karnataka to approach the Karnataka High Court instead. A lawyer, appearing for the petitioner, referred to open threats from fringe groups opposing the screening of the film in Karnataka, and said "there are open threats by fringe elements and they are saying theatres will be set on fire." Justice Mishra, while refusing to grant an urgent hearing, said, "Install fire extinguishers" and asked the petitioner to move the High Court. "Thug Life" released in cinema halls across the country on June 5. The Tamil movie, which reunites the 70-year-old actor with filmmaker Mani Ratnam after 1987's "Nayakan", could not be released in Karnataka after Mr. Haasan's comments about Kannada language sparked a major controversy. It was also released in Telugu, Hindi and Malayalam.
