Makers Of Kamal Haasan Starrer ‘Thug Life’ Moves Karnataka High Court Against Boycott Calls

By

RUBY ZAIDI

A plea has been filed before the Karnataka High Court seeking directions to ensure that the Kamal Haasan-starrer, the living legend-starrer Pan India film Thug Life, is allowed to be screened in Karnataka without any disturbance.

This was after the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce’s (KFCC) recent decision to boycott the movie, which is slated for release on June 5.

The decision to ‘ban’ screenings of the film in Karnataka followed after Kamal Haasan reportedly commented that “Kannada was born out of Tamil” during a promotional event at Chennai.

The alleged comment prompted the KFCC – a society representing film producers, film distributor,s and film exhibitors and which works to promote the film industry in Karnataka as well as Kannada, Konkani, Tulu, Kodava culture – to declare that the film will not be screened in Karnataka unless Haasan apologises for his remark.

Now, a co-producer of the film Raajkamal Films International, has moved the High Court, citing concerns that film screenings in Karnataka will not be permitted for Thug Life.

Raajkamal Films has argued that Haasan’s statement was misquoted and taken out of context, and that his remarks were meant to express love and camaraderie between the people of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.

The producer added that the comment was part of a larger statement, made while addressing Kannada actor Shiva Rajkumar, who too clarified that Kamal Haasan has always spoken highly of Kannada.

The plea further says that Haasan’s statement was deliberately misconstrued, leading to unwarranted backlash.

The co-producer has also highlighted that it has invested around ₹300 crores in making the film, which marks the second collaboration between director Mani Ratnam and Kamal Haasan and also stars Trisha and TR Silambarasan in lead roles, with music being composed by AR Rahman.

The plea adds that film enthusiasts around the world are eagerly waiting for its release, including in Karnataka.

The producer had earlier submitted a representation to the State authorities, including the police, seeking protection for the film’s makers so that it could be screened in Karnataka without any disruption.

However, since no positive response was received on these representations, the producer chose to move the High Court for relief.

The producer has sought the following reliefs:

– That the Court issue directions to restrain any party (including State authorities and the KFCC) from taking any measure that would restrain or restrict Thug Life’s screening in Karnataka;

– That the Court issue directions to the State authorities to take steps to extend necessary security to the film’s director, producers, cast and others associated with the making of the film, as well as those screening the film, movie goers and the public at large, to ensure the uninterrupted exhibition of the film from June 5.

– That the KFCC and other respondent parties be restrained from issuing any directions to give effect to the decision to ‘ban’ the film’s release and distribution in Karnataka.

The matter is yet to be heard by the Court.