Actor-politician Kamal Haasan has filed a petition in the Karnataka High Court seeking directives to ensure the smooth release and screening of his upcoming film Thug Life across the state. The move comes in the wake of mounting pressure and threats from several pro-Kannada groups demanding a ban on the film following Haasan’s recent controversial remarks about the origins of the Kannada language.
Haasan recently sparked outrage in Karnataka by stating that Kannada originated from Tamil, a claim that has drawn sharp criticism from linguistic scholars, political leaders, and cultural organisations in the state. Protests have erupted in parts of Karnataka, with fringe groups warning theatre owners against screening Thug Life, which marks a major collaboration between Kamal Haasan and director Mani Ratnam.
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In his plea, Haasan has urged the court to safeguard his constitutional right to freedom of expression and to direct the state authorities to provide adequate security to theatres willing to screen the film. He also emphasised that the film and its cast have no connection to the ongoing linguistic debate and should not be targeted for personal views expressed outside the cinematic context.