On Friday, the Supreme Court issued a notice to the Karnataka government over alleged threats to the screening of Kamal Haasan’s film Thug Life, following a petition that claimed the State failed to act against hate speech and threats of violence.
🔍 What Happened?
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Fringe groups in Karnataka reportedly issued threats of violence, including threats to burn theatres and target Tamil-speaking people, after backlash over Kamal Haasan’s remarks on the Kannada language.
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The filmmakers accused the State government of inaction, saying:
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No FIRs were filed.
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No protection was given to theatres or citizens.
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The Karnataka Film Chamber allegedly advised cinemas not to release the film, creating a de facto ban.
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🏛️ What the Court Said
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A Supreme Court bench led by Justices Prashant Kumar Mishra and Manmohan took note of the petition and issued notices to:
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Karnataka Government
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State Police
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Raaj Kamal Films International
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Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC)
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The case is scheduled for hearing on Tuesday.
🗣️ What the Lawyers Said
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Advocate A Velan: “Despite open threats, no FIRs were filed. The government seemed to side with fringe groups.”
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Advocate Navpreet Kaur: “This is a violation of the Supreme Court’s own orders on hate speech. The inaction has led to a threat to fundamental rights.”
🎬 About Thug Life
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Directed by: Mani Ratnam
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Starring: Kamal Haasan, Trisha Krishnan, Silambarasan, Aishwarya Lekshmi, Ashok Selvan
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Significance: Reunion of Kamal Haasan and Mani Ratnam after 37 years
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Genre: Action thriller
⚠️ Why This Matters
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The petition raises serious concerns about freedom of expression, audience safety, and linguistic harmony.
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The Supreme Court’s notice means the issue will now receive national judicial scrutiny, especially around state accountability and protection of minority communities.
