SC Seeks Karnataka Govt's Response To Plea Seeking Protection From Threats Against Screening Of Thug Life

Before the release of Kamal Haasan starrer Thug Life, the film allegedly received threats due to the controversial statement on the Kannada language. In a plea, the makers alleged that the Karnataka government failed to protect the film from threats. In their plea, seeking protection from threats against the screening of the film in the state, the makers said that no FIR was filed. The Supreme Court on Friday, June 13, sought response to the plea from Karnataka government.

A bench of justices Prashant Kumar Mishra and Manmohan issued notice on M Mahesh Reddy's plea challenging the ban on the screening of Thug Life, in Karnataka.

As per ANI, 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..."

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 court has issued notice to the State, and the matter is listed for hearing next Tuesday."

As per a report in PTI, the bench recorded the submission and said, "It is argued by the counsel appearing for the petitioner that a duly CBFC certified Tamil Feature Film Thug Life is not allowed to be screened in the theatres in the State of Karnataka. The so-called ban under threat of violence stems not from any lawful process, but from a deliberate campaign of terror, including explicit threats of arson against cinema halls and incitement to large-scale communal violence targeting linguistic minorities."

The bench also directed the copy of the petition to be served upon the standing counsel for the state government, and said, "Considering the urgency shown in the matter and the issue involved, issue notice to the respondents, returnable on June 17, 2025."

Thug Life released in theatres on June 5 Tamil, Telugu, Hindi and Malayalam.