The Karnataka High Court on Friday (June 13) directed producers of the actor Kamal Haasan starrer film ‘Thug Life’ to respond to an application filed by Kannada literary body–Kannada Sahitya Parishattu, seeking intervention in the producer’s plea against the ban on the film’s release in the state.
The ban was declared after Haasan’s controversial statement about Kannada language during the audio release of the film.
Justice M Nagaprasanna said “Kannada Sahitya Parishattu has filed an impleading application, counsel has made submissions as to why he becomes the necessary party. Ld counsel for petitioner seeks a weeks’ time to file objections to the application and make submission qua the order passed earlier. Relist on June 20.”
Senior Advocate S Basavaraj appearing for the applicant–Kannada Sahitya Parishattu a literary body that works to promote Kannada language, literature and culture across Karnataka and beyond, submitted, “They (petitioner producer) have approached this court creating complete abuse of process of law. The petition is not maintainable…A person who creates controversy and invites trouble cannot seek extraordinary jurisdiction of this court. A person who invokes one part of the Constitution should have equal respect for other parts of the Constitution.”
The application filed through Advocate Chintan Chinnappa states that it may be permitted to intervene in the above matter, so as to place before the Court the constitutional, cultural and linguistic concerns arising from the statements and made by Haasan, particularly from the perspective of protecting the identity, dignity and historical legacy of the Kannada language and culture.
The court adjourning the hearing to June 20, said that its earlier order recording the undertaking of the film not being released in Karnataka will continue.
The high court was hearing a petition filed by Raajkamal Films International seeking a direction to prevent the respondents–including Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce, from taking any measures, directly or indirectly that would restrain/restrict the exhibition of the Kamal Haasan-starrer film “Thug Life” in all languages in the State of Karnataka.
The case stems from a statement made by Haasan during the audio release of the film. Haasan had stated that Kannada Language was born out of Tamil Language. The Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce had thereafter resolved to restrain the exhibition of the film in the State.
While stating before the High Court in the previous hearing that he had “no malice”, the actor refused to apologise for the statement and proposed to have a dialogue with the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce, while agreeing to stall the release of the film in the State.
The film which released in theatres on June 5, was not released in Karnataka.
Read Also | Supreme Court Seeks Karnataka’s Response On Plea Against ‘Thug Life’ Film Ban
Case Title: Raajkamal Films Internationl AND State of Karnataka & Others
Case No: WP 15589/2025.
