Latest news with #Kamalakar
NDTV
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- NDTV
"Too Risky": Karnataka Distributor Refuses To Release Kamal Hassan's 'Thug Life'
Bengaluru: Will not release Kamal Hassan's 'Thug Life' despite Supreme Court's order because I don't think it will do good business here two weeks after it was released across India, said Venkatesh Kamalakar, the distributor of the film in Karnataka on Wednesday. 'Thug Life', directed by Mani Ratnam, released across India on June 5. In Karnataka, the film is yet to release due to the controversial statement made by Haasan that 'Kannada was born out of Tamil'. On a petition filed by a Bengaluru resident seeking the release of the film in Karnataka, the Supreme Court had on June 17 held that it is the duty of the state to ensure that a film is released in theatres once it gets a Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) certificate. Speaking to PTI, Mr Kamalakar said it also does not make sense to release the film considering that Kannadigas' sentiments were hurt by what Haasan had said about Kannada language. "But mostly it is because it is not a good business decision to release the film now. His previous film 'Indian 2' also did not do well here in Karnataka," said Mr Kamalakar. The distributor said Mr Haasan's 'Vikram' did well in Karnataka, but he does not have a fan base here that will blindly go to his film, no matter what. "When it comes to his films, the success depends on how good it is. 'Thug Life' is generally considered as not a good film by many. So, it is too risky," said Kamalakar, who distributes mostly big budget Tamil films in Karnataka. According to industry sources, the distributor had already paid about Rs 9 crore as advance. Mr Kamalakar agreed he did pay an advance amount without disclosing the amount, but said he is not anticipating any difficulty in getting it back. "It is not like it is our fault. Things turned out the way it did and when there is no profit, which theatre owner will agree to showcase the film," he asked. Meanwhile, many pro Kannada outfits in Bengaluru have allegedly asked the theatres not to showcase the film despite SC's directive. On Wednesday, Bengaluru Police posted notices on the houses of several pro Kannada activists. They informed the activists that they are not allowed to protest anywhere other than the designated protest site of Freedom Park. But Praveen Shetty, one of the very vocal protesters of the statement, and who has his own faction of Kannada Rakshana Vedike, had allegedly refused to accept the notice as well as responsibility for any protests. Earlier, speaking to PTI Videos, Mr Shetty had said that he is yet to receive the notice from the police. "But Kannadigas will not surely watch that film," he added. RT Nagar Police, under whose jurisdiction his house falls, finally posted the notice in front of his house.
Hindustan Times
4 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Even as SC allows release of Kamal Haasan's Thug Life in Karnataka, distributor says it 'makes no business sense'
The Supreme Court may have paved the way for a belated release of Kamal Haasan's film Thug Life in Karnataka, but the film's distributor does not believe it makes any sense now. The film was released across India two weeks ago. (Also read: Supreme Court orders release of Kamal Haasan's Thug Life film: 'Can't allow mob to take over streets') Distributor Venkatesh Kamalakar's comments came a day after the Supreme Court allowed the release of the Mani Ratnam-directed film, which faced opposition in the state following Haasan's controversial statement on the Kannada language. On a petition filed by a Bengaluru resident seeking the release of the film in Karnataka, on June 17, the Supreme Court held that it is the duty of the state to ensure that a film is released in theatres once it gets a Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) certificate. This means that the film can now be released in state without delay. However, given its reception across India since its original release, the distributor is not convinced about the business sense of doing so. Speaking to PTI, Kamalakar, the distributor of the film in Karnataka, said it also does not make sense to release the film, considering that Kannadigas' sentiments were hurt by what Haasan had said about Kannada language. 'But mostly it is because it is not a good business decision to release the film now. His previous film Indian 2 also did not do well here in Karnataka,' said Kamalakar. The distributor added Haasan's Vikram did well in Karnataka in 2022, but he does not have a fan base here that will blindly go to his film, no matter what. 'When it comes to his films, the success depends on how good it is. Thug Life is generally considered not a good film by many. So, it is too risky,' said Kamalakar, who distributes mostly big-budget Tamil films in Karnataka. According to industry sources, the distributor had already paid about ₹9 crore as anadvance. Kamalakar agreed he did pay an advance amount without disclosing the amount, but said he is not anticipating any difficulty in getting it back. 'It is not like it is our fault. Things turned out the way they did, and when there is no profit, which theatre owner will agree to showcase the film,' he asked. Meanwhile, many pro-Kannada outfits in Bengaluru have allegedly asked the theatres not to showcase the film despite the SC's directive. On Wednesday, Bengaluru Police posted notices on the houses of several pro-Kannada activists. They informed the activists that they are not allowed to protest anywhere other than the designated protest site of Freedom Park. But Praveen Shetty, one of the very vocal protesters of the statement, and who has his own faction of Kannada Rakshana Vedike, had allegedly refused to accept the notice as well as responsibility for any protests. Thug Life marks Kamal Haasan and Mani Ratnam's reunion after 37 years, the first since their iconic collaboration for Naayakan. However, this film failed to recreate that vintage magic. Thug Life received unfavourable reviews, and also did not set the box office ablaze. It has only earned ₹96 crore in two weeks so far.
Time of India
10 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Releasing 'Thug Life' now does not make any business sense: Karnataka distributor
The Karnataka distributor of actor Kamal Haasan's film 'Thug life' on Wednesday said he won't release the flick in the state now, despite a favourable court order as he believes it won't do good business two weeks after its release across India. Distributor Venkatesh Kamalakar's comments came a day after the Supreme Court allowed the release of the Mani Ratnam directed film, which faced opposition in the state following Haasan's controversial statement on the Kannada language. On a petition filed by a Bengaluru resident seeking the release of the film in Karnataka, the Supreme Court had on June 17 held that it is the duty of the state to ensure that a film is released in theatres once it gets a Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) certificate. Speaking to PTI, Kamalakar, the distributor of the film in Karnataka said it also does not make sense to release the film considering that Kannadigas' sentiments were hurt by what Haasan had said about Kannada language. "But mostly it is because it is not a good business decision to release the film now. His previous film 'Indian 2' also did not do well here in Karnataka," said Kamalakar. The distributor said Haasan's 'Vikram' did well in Karnataka, but he does not have a fan base here that will blindly go to his film, no matter what. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với sàn môi giới tin cậy IC Markets Tìm hiểu thêm Undo "When it comes to his films, the success depends on how good it is. 'Thug Life' is generally considered as not a good film by many. So, it is too risky," said Kamalakar, who distributes mostly big budget Tamil films in Karnataka. According to industry sources, the distributor had already paid about Rs 9 crore as advance. Kamalakar agreed he did pay an advance amount without disclosing the amount, but said he is not anticipating any difficulty in getting it back. #BigInterview! Mohnish Bahl: I was the most experienced on 'Maine Pyar Kiya' sets, having had six flops as a hero behind me! "It is not like it is our fault. Things turned out the way it did and when there is no profit, which theatre owner will agree to showcase the film," he asked. Meanwhile, many pro Kannada outfits in Bengaluru have allegedly asked the theatres not to showcase the film despite SC's directive. On Wednesday, Bengaluru Police posted notices on the houses of several pro Kannada activists. They informed the activists that they are not allowed to protest anywhere other than the designated protest site of Freedom Park. But Praveen Shetty, one of the very vocal protesters of the statement, and who has his own faction of Kannada Rakshana Vedike, had allegedly refused to accept the notice as well as responsibility for any protests. Earlier, speaking to PTI Videos, Shetty had said that he is yet to receive the notice from the police. "But Kannadigas will not surely watch that film," he added. R T Nagar Police, under whose jurisdiction his house falls, finally posted the notice in front of his house.
