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Hindustan Times
16 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Makers of Kamal Haasan's Thug Life say Karnataka govt failed to act when fringe groups threatened to burn down theatres
The makers of Kamal Haasan's film Thug Life have alleged that the Karnataka government failed to protect the film from threats after it faced opposition following lead actor Kamal Haasan's controversial statement on the Kannada language. In their plea seeking protection from threats against the screening of the film in the state, the makers said no FIR was registered against threats to the film. The Supreme Court on Friday sought the Karnataka government's response to the plea. As per the petitioners' plea, there is an effective ban on the CBFC-certified film Thug Life in Karnataka, which is caused by violent threats from private groups, and the state authorities have failed to take action in this regard. Advocate A Velan said, 'A fringe group issued threats of large-scale violence, including the burning of theatres and attacks against members of the Tamil linguistic minority residing in Karnataka. Despite these open and public threats, not a single FIR was registered, nor was any prosecution initiated by the State Government. On the contrary, the government appeared to adopt the position of the very fringe elements that issued those threats. We are aggrieved by this inaction and are now before the Supreme Court, seeking enforcement of this Court's past directions.' The plea argued that such inaction violates the fundamental right to freedom of speech and expression under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution. This right applies not only to filmmakers but also to the public who want to view films. A bench of Justices Prashant Kumar Mishra and Manmohan issued notices to the Karnataka government, the State police, Raaj Kamal Films International Private Limited and the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) seeking their responses to the plea. Advocate Navpreet Kaur added, 'We approached the Supreme Court after fringe groups issued open threats on social media to burn down theatres screening Thug Life, targeting both cinema halls and the Tamil linguistic minority in Karnataka. Despite clear Supreme Court guidelines requiring immediate action against such hate speech, the State took no action -- no FIRs were filed, and no protection was offered.... Instead, under pressure, the Karnataka Film Chamber advised theatres not to release the movie, resulting in a de facto ban. This is a serious law and order failure and a threat to constitutional rights... Recognising the urgency, the Supreme Court has issued notice to the State, and the matter is listed for hearing next Tuesday.' The issue arose over an alleged statement recently made by actor Kamal Hassan, which said, 'Kannada was born out of Tamil'. The top court will hear the matter next week. Thug Life marks the reunion of Kamal Haasan and Mani Ratnam after 37 years. The action thriller also stars Silambarasan, Trisha Krishnan, Aishwarya Lekshmi, Abhirami, Ashok Selvan. Thug Life opened to bad reviews and lukewarm audience reactions in theatres on June 5. The film has earned only ₹92 crore worldwide in eight days. Some trade pundits argue that the box office collection has been affected due to its non-release in Karnataka and the controversy. (With ANI inputs)
India Gazette
a day ago
- Entertainment
- India Gazette
SC seeks Karnataka govt's response to plea over non-release of 'Thug Life' in State theatres
New Delhi [India], June 13 (ANI): The Supreme Court on Friday sought the Karnataka government's response to a plea seeking protection from threats against the screening of Kamal Haasan's film 'Thug Life'. Considering the urgency of the matter, a bench of Justices Prashant Kumar Mishra and Manmohan issued notices to the Karnataka government, the State police, Raaj Kamal Films International Private Limited and the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) seeking their responses to the plea. During the hearing, the counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that no action has been taken by the state authorities in Karnataka despite violent threats being issued against linguistic minorities in the State. 'No FIR has been registered. They have joined hands with extremist elements', advocate A Velan stated. After hearing the matter, the Court sought the responses of the aforesaid authorities and listed the matter to be heard next week. On Monday, the top court had refused to urgently hear Reddy's plea and had asked the petitioner to approach the concerned High Court. Subsequently, the matter was listed before the top court to be heard today (Friday). During the hearing on Monday, 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 had 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. The issue arose over an alleged statement recently made by actor Kamal Hassan, which said 'Kannada was born out of Tamil'. As per the petitioners' plea, there is an effective ban on the CBFC-certified film Thug Life in Karnataka, which is caused by violent threats from private groups, and the state authorities have failed to take action in this regard. The plea argued that such inaction violates the fundamental right to freedom of speech and expression under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution. This right applies not only to filmmakers but also to the public who want to view films. The top court will hear the matter next week. (ANI)
The Hindu
a day ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Supreme Court issues notice to Karnataka seeking response on ‘Thug Life' ban
NEW DELHI The Supreme Court on Friday sought the State of Karnataka to respond to a petition seeking to ensure the safe and unimpeded screening of Kamal Haasan's Tamil movie Thug Life in the State. A Vacation Bench headed by Justice PK Mishra was also asked by petitioner, M. Mahesh Reddy, represented by advocate Athenam Velan, to take action against elements who have issued threats and incited violence against theatres and the makers of the film. Issuing notice to the States, the court scheduled the case on Tuesday. The Bench recorded Mr. Velan's submission that a duly CBFC-certified Tamil feature film was not allowed to be screened in theatres in Karnataka. 'The so-called ban under threat of violence stems not from any lawful process but from a deliberate campaign of terror, including explicit threat of arson against cinema halls, incitement of large-scale violence targeting linguistic minorities,' Mr. Velan argued. Earlier this week, the petitioner, a Bengaluru resident, had sought urgent listing, saying 'fringe elements' were threatening arson against theatres which screen the film. Mr. Velan had said the move to appeal the apex court was necessitated by the fact that the Karnataka High Court had 'distressingly appeared to prioritise appeasement' in proceedings seeking the judicial protection of the fundamental right to free speech and expression. 'Instead of a clear directive to the State to stop the illegal threats and protect a certified film's exhibition – fundamental to restoring law and order – the discussion reportedly focused on whether Mr. Kamal Haasan should apologise to the very fringe elements intimidating him and threatening public order. This effective endorsement of coercive censorship by suggesting compromise with perpetrators makes the High Court pathway currently ineffective for securing justice, compelling this urgent appeal in the Supreme Court as the ultimate guardian of the Constitution,' the petition had submitted. The petition has questioned the Karnataka government's 'flagrant failure' to maintain law and order in the State and protect constitutional freedoms. It said the 'unconstitutional extra-judicial ban' in Karnataka stems not from any lawful process but from a deliberate campaign of terror and a chilling call for a repeat of past anti-Tamil riots. 'This serious situation occurs within a disturbing societal context where chauvinistic elements have targeted linguistic minorities such as Hindi speakers in Bengaluru with impunity, fostering a climate of fear that now directly threatens constitutional order over this film…,' the petition has highlighted.
