SC backing fails to guarantee Thug Life release in Karnataka?
सुप्रीम कोर्ट ने कर्नाटक सरकार को लगाई फटकार, कहा- एक दिन में 'ठग लाइफ' की रिलीज पर अपडेट दें
Despite a clear Supreme Court directive for its smooth release, Kamal Haasan's Thug Life's theatrical debut in Karnataka remains highly uncertain. Distributors in the state are reportedly unwilling to buy the gangster drama, citing poor box office performance and a looming OTT debut.
SUPREME COURT TELLS KARNATAKA TO ACT AGAINST DISRUPTORS
The Supreme Court on Thursday recorded the Karnataka government's assurance that it would provide adequate security to theatres screening the film. The court noted the importance of preventing any situation where 'someone's sentiment was hurt by utterances' leading to movie stalls, cancelled shows, or artists being stopped. The bench instructed the state government to contain any 'divisive element' threatening the film's release.
The Supreme Court closed the PIL after the state's assurance, stating that no further guidelines were necessary.
RELEASING THUG LIFE NOW IS NOT A GOOD BUSINESS DECISION: DISTRIBUTOR
Karnataka distributor Venkatesh Kamalakar, has told PTI he won't release Thug Life. Kamalakar added it 'does not make sense to release the film considering that Kannadigas' sentiments were hurt by what Kamal had said about the Kannada language. But mostly it is because it is not a good business decision to release the film now.' He further noted that, 'Thug Life is generally considered as not a good film by many. So, it is too risky… When there is no profit, which theatre owner will agree to showcase the film?'
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Time of India
4 hours ago
- Time of India
SC pulls up Karnataka for inaction, says state must not yield to vigilante threats over 'Thug Life'
New Delhi: The Supreme Court has directed the Karnataka government to ensure that there is no obstruction to the release of Kamal Haasan-starrer film 'Thug Life' in the state. Following the direction, the state assured SC that it will provide protection to the film makers so that the film's release is not obstructed in the state. A bench comprising justices Ujjal Bhuyan and Manmohan also disapproved of the state's inaction in dealing with such threats to free speech . The development took place during the resumed hearing of a plea filed by a Bengaluru resident M Mahesh Reddy , who highlighted that despite having a valid censor certificate the film was effectively banned in Karnataka due to threats by fringe organisations and inaction by state authorities. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Morganville: Stunning New 2-Bed Senior Apartments (Take A Peek Inside) Senior Apartments | Search Ads Click Here Undo The petitioner urged SC to lay down guidelines to prevent such incidents from recurring in future, but the bench refused. The bench made it clear that the state government cannot bow to pressure from vigilante groups . "Just because of an opinion a movie is stopped, a stand up comedian is stopped, a person is stopped from reciting a poem ... You (State) succumbed to their pressure. In such circumstances the state has a duty. Simply saying a ban is not imposed will take it nowhere. You are hiding behind these groups," the bench verbally remarked. Live Events
Time of India
5 hours ago
- Time of India
SC backing fails to guarantee Thug Life release in Karnataka?
सुप्रीम कोर्ट ने कर्नाटक सरकार को लगाई फटकार, कहा- एक दिन में 'ठग लाइफ' की रिलीज पर अपडेट दें Despite a clear Supreme Court directive for its smooth release, Kamal Haasan's Thug Life's theatrical debut in Karnataka remains highly uncertain. Distributors in the state are reportedly unwilling to buy the gangster drama, citing poor box office performance and a looming OTT debut. SUPREME COURT TELLS KARNATAKA TO ACT AGAINST DISRUPTORS The Supreme Court on Thursday recorded the Karnataka government's assurance that it would provide adequate security to theatres screening the film. The court noted the importance of preventing any situation where 'someone's sentiment was hurt by utterances' leading to movie stalls, cancelled shows, or artists being stopped. The bench instructed the state government to contain any 'divisive element' threatening the film's release. The Supreme Court closed the PIL after the state's assurance, stating that no further guidelines were necessary. RELEASING THUG LIFE NOW IS NOT A GOOD BUSINESS DECISION: DISTRIBUTOR Karnataka distributor Venkatesh Kamalakar, has told PTI he won't release Thug Life. Kamalakar added it 'does not make sense to release the film considering that Kannadigas' sentiments were hurt by what Kamal had said about the Kannada language. But mostly it is because it is not a good business decision to release the film now.' He further noted that, 'Thug Life is generally considered as not a good film by many. So, it is too risky… When there is no profit, which theatre owner will agree to showcase the film?'
Pink Villa
5 hours ago
- Pink Villa
Thug Life: Kamal Haasan and Silambarasan TR faced loss of Rs 30 crore after Karnataka theater ban? Producers weigh in
Thug Life, starring Kamal Haasan and Silambarasan TR in the lead roles, hit the big screens on June 5, 2025. Ahead of its release, the Mani Ratnam directorial faced a ban in Karnataka over the veteran actor's comments against Kannada. Now, in a recent report, it seems that the film faced a loss of Rs 30 crore after failing to release in the Kannada-speaking region. In an update shared by the production house, Raaj Kamal Films International confirmed the same. For those unaware, Kamal Haasan made the headlines after he commented against the Kannada language. In a pre-release event, the actor remarked how Kannada was born out of Tamil, which led to a huge uproar among people. As the pro-Kannada activists protested against Haasan and asked him to apologize, the actor declined. This further led the Karnataka Film Board to impose a ban on the movie, limiting its release. However, the Supreme Court of India has criticised the Karnataka government and the Karnataka Film Chamber for their handling of the controversy. The apex court has allowed the film's release in Karnataka, questioning the state government and the Kannada Film Body. On a side note, the Supreme Court further raised concerns on the trend of threatening violence when sentiments are hurt. Coming to Thug Life, the Kamal Haasan and STR starrer is a gangster action drama, directed by Mani Ratnam, which is co-penned by Haasan. The film narrates the tale of a gangster, Rangaraaya Sakthivel, who once adopted a young boy, Amaran, after a shootout in Delhi. Years later, the foster father and son develop a strong bond, with Amaran being a formidable member of the mafia. However, a stark turn of events leads to an animosity between them, which causes them to lock horns. How the father and son end their feud and whether they would finally reunite forms the crux of the film. Apart from the lead actors, the film features Trisha Krishnan, Aishwarya Lekshmi, Ashok Selvan, Abhirami, and more in key roles. The gangster actioner was received with mixed-to-negative reviews from critics but is considered to be one of the highest-grossing films in Tamil cinema for 2025. Disclaimer: All amounts mentioned in the article are sourced from public platforms. In some cases, teams give their input too, which we incorporate if provided by them. We take all efforts to share possible accurate numbers, however, unless otherwise mentioned they are all approximates. We are open to feedback and suggestions on editorial@
