Latest news with #TamilFilmProducers'Council
News18
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- News18
'Stringent Action May Have Repercussions': Tamil Producers' Body Writes To KFCC On 'Thug Life' Row
In the letter, the Tamil producers' body sought to clarify the intent behind Kamal Haasan's statements on Kannada In an effort to resolve the controversy surrounding the release of the Tamil film Thug Life in Karnataka, the Tamil Film Producers' Council has formally appealed to the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC). The intervention comes amid calls for a ban on the film in Karnataka, stemming from recent comments made by its lead actor and co-writer, Kamal Haasan, which some interpreted as derogatory towards the Kannada language. Released in multiple languages, the gangster action drama hit theatres in several parts of the country on Thursday. In the letter, the Tamil producers' body sought to clarify the intent behind Kamal Haasan's statements. It asserted that Haasan's remarks were born out of his deep affection for the Kannada language and culture and were absolutely not intended to insult or diminish it in any way. The council's appeal highlighted the strong and enduring bond that already exists between the two vibrant film industries. It cited numerous examples of prominent Kannada actors who have seamlessly transitioned and made significant contributions to Tamil cinema. Names like Sudeep, Shiva Rajkumar, Duniya Vijay, Achyuth Kumar, and Kishore were specifically mentioned as testaments to the collaborative spirit and mutual respect that have long characterised the relationship between Kollywood and Sandalwood. Expressing deep concern over the potential repercussions, the Tamil Film Producers' Council warned that a stringent decision, such as an outright ban on Thug Life, could inflict significant and lasting damage on the otherwise amicable relationship between the two film fraternities. It urged the KFCC to intervene constructively and facilitate the smooth release of the film in Karnataka, thereby averting any unnecessary escalation of tensions and preserving the cooperative environment that benefits both industries. During a promotional event for Thug Life, Kamal Haasan claimed that 'Kannada was born out of Tamil", sparking widespread outrage among pro-Kannada groups and cultural organisations. Haasan made these remarks while addressing Sandalwood star Shiva Rajkumar, who was present at the event. 'You are my family that is residing in Karnataka, and hence, you came all the way here. When I started the speech, I said that my life and my family are Tamil. Your language was born out of Tamil, and hence you are part of it," said Haasan. First Published: June 05, 2025, 18:12 IST
Hindustan Times
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Simbu thanks Mani Ratnam, says he offered work when other producers were ‘sceptical' to approach him
Thug Life is one of the most anticipated films of the year. Starring Kamal Haasan, Trisha Krishnan and Simbu in lead roles, the trailer and songs have created quite a buzz among fans. The cast and crew were present at the audio launch of the film, where Simbu got on stage to thank Mani Ratnam for always supporting him even when his professional life was beset with controversies. (Also read: Thug Life: Simbu gets emotional, calls Kamal Haasan his 'on-screen guru') Simbu shared how Mani Ratnam offered to work with him during a difficult time in his career. As per India Today, Simbu said, 'He took a film titled 'Anjali', and it starred children. A Telugu child artist played the lead. I started crying after watching the film. I felt sad that I wasn't a part of the film despite being a child artiste here. At that time, I thought he wouldn't call me ever. When I grew up, I only did mass masala films. There was a time when there were talks about [producers] giving me a red card. Many producers were sceptical of approaching me." He went on to add, "At that time, I received a call from Mani Ratnam's Madras Talkies. I didn't believe it at first. When I met him, I asked him if it was truly him who called me for a film. At a time when everyone was scared to work with me, he took that chance. I will never forget that.' For the unversed, in 2023, Simbu along with other actors received red cards from the Tamil Film Producers' Council. It meant a temporary ban intended to prevent the actor from accepting work with any producer until further notice. Thug Life is set to release on June 5 in theatres worldwide.
