"Rule of law mandates...": Top Court on Kamal Haasan’s film’s Karnataka release

Mangalore Today News Network

New Delhi, June 17, 2025: Kamal Haasan’s new film, ’Thug Life’, has a censor board certificate and must be released in Karnataka, notwithstanding controversy over the actor-politician’s comment about the Kannada language being "born out of Tamil", the Supreme Court said Tuesday afternoon.

The court also asked tough questions of the Karnataka government for failing to ensure the film’s release - in the face of threats against its screening and a warning by the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce to ’ban’ its release - and directed the state to file a reply in 24 hours.

"The rule of law mandates that a person must be able to release his film... a film with a CBFC (Censor Board of Film Certification) must be released," an irked Supreme Court said.

The court also noted the Karnataka High Court should not have called on Kamal Haasan to apologise for his remark. On June 3 the High Court served up a culinary-themed warning, telling the actor "... you cannot unscramble a scrambled egg" and urging him to make an apology.

The actor, however, refused to do so, as he has since the controversy broke.

The hearing in the High Court was over a plea by the actor to ensure the release of his film is not blocked in any way; this was after warnings by pro-Kannada groups against screening the film.

That point was flagged today by the Supreme Court, which transferred the case from the High Court to itself, and pointed out, "... we can’t let mob and vigilant groups take over the state..."