Kamal Haasan's Film 'Thug Life' Faces Boycott Calls Amid Controversy

Karnataka High Court Petition Filed

The production team behind the Tamil movie Thug Life, featuring actor and politician Kamal Haasan, has approached the Karnataka High Court. They are seeking legal intervention to ensure the film's screening in the state, following calls for its boycott, as reported by a legal news outlet.

Raajkamal Films International, the production house, has requested the court to prevent the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce and other entities from obstructing or limiting the film's release in any language throughout the state.

This legal action follows a warning from the film chamber, which stated that the release of Thug Life would be halted unless Haasan publicly apologized for his statement suggesting that the Kannada language originated from Tamil.

“We will wait for 24 hours; if he doesn’t apologise, his movie will not be allowed to be released in any of the theatres in Karnataka,” said M Narasimhalu, the president of the film chamber, emphasizing that the film's release is contingent on Haasan's apology.

The petition filed in the Karnataka High Court claims that the boycott call infringes on the filmmakers' rights to conduct their business. It argues that Haasan's comments were misinterpreted and were intended to foster goodwill between Tamil and Kannada speakers.

The production house has also requested the High Court to instruct state authorities to ensure the safety of the film's director, producers, cast, crew, theatre owners, and audiences, allowing screenings to proceed without interruptions.

Controversial Remarks by Haasan Haasan’s remarks

During the audio launch of the film in Chennai on May 24, Haasan expressed his connection to the Tamil language, stating: “Uyire Urave Tamizhe [My life and my family is Tamil].”

He addressed Kannada actor Shivarajkumar, present at the event, saying: “Actor Shivarajkumar is my family living in another state… Your language was born out of Tamil. So, you are included in that line.”

These comments ignited significant backlash in Karnataka, with the pro-Kannada group Karnataka Rakshana Vedike threatening to boycott the film.

Protesters from the group vandalized posters of Thug Life in Bengaluru, and other pro-Kannada organizations organized demonstrations in cities like Bengaluru, Belagavi, Hubballi, and Mysuru, demanding an apology from Haasan.

On May 28, Haasan attempted to clarify his statements, asserting: “I think what I said was said with a lot of love. Historians have taught me the language’s history… I didn’t mean anything.”

The film, directed by Mani Ratnam, is set to premiere on June 5 and has been dubbed into multiple languages, including Kannada. Notably, it is produced by Red Giant Movies, a company owned by Udhayanidhi Stalin, the Deputy Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu and a leader of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam party.