Kamal Haasan's Thug Life Team Seeks Supreme Court Intervention Over Threats

Supreme Court Appeal by Thug Life Makers

On June 14, the producers of the film Thug Life, featuring Kamal Haasan, approached the Supreme Court, expressing concerns over a lack of security from the Karnataka government despite facing serious threats. These threats emerged following Haasan's remarks about the Kannada language during the film's audio launch in Chennai.

Controversial Comments Spark Outrage

During the event, Haasan made a statement suggesting that Kannada has its roots in Tamil, saying, 'Actor Shivarajkumar is my family living in another state. That’s why he is here. When I began my speech, I mentioned, ‘My life and my family is Tamil.’ Your language (Kannada) was born out of Tamil, so you are included in that lineage.' This comment quickly went viral and incited backlash from pro-Kannada activists, who accused him of disrespecting their language, leading to a complaint against him and a ban on the film in Karnataka.

Threats and Government Inaction

A fringe group reportedly issued threats of violence, including potential attacks on theaters and the Tamil-speaking community in Karnataka. Despite these alarming threats, no FIRs were filed, nor did the state government take any action. Advocate A Velan, representing the film's team, expressed their frustration over this inaction, stating, 'We are aggrieved by this inaction and are now before the Supreme Court, seeking enforcement of this Court’s past directions.'

Free Speech Concerns Raised

The filmmakers argue that the government's failure to act violates their right to free speech as protected under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution. The Supreme Court has since requested a response from the Karnataka government regarding this matter.

Haasan's Clarification

In a subsequent letter to the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC), Haasan clarified that his comments were misinterpreted. He expressed regret that his words, intended to convey unity and respect for the Kannada language and its legacy, were taken out of context. 'There is no dispute or debate on the rich legacy of Kannada language,' he stated.