Today, On 3rd June, Kamal Haasan declines to apologise and announces, “Won’t release Thug Life movie in Karnataka for now.” His counsel informed the Karnataka High Court, delaying the film’s release amid controversy over his remarks on Kannada language origins.
Bengaluru: Actor Kamal Haasan has chosen to postpone the release of his upcoming film Thug Life in Karnataka, as stated by his counsel during a hearing at the Karnataka High Court on Tuesday.
This decision follows the court’s strong comments earlier in the day regarding Haasan’s previous remarks about the origins of the Kannada language.
In an important update during the hearing concerning the petition for the film’s release and screening, the counsel indicated that the actor is prepared to wait.
Senior advocate Dhyan Chinappa mentioned,
“He has said that I can wait and the release of the movie in Karnataka can also wait,” ,
He further added,
“We won’t release the movie in Karnataka for now.”
Additionally, the legal team for the producers requested a week’s adjournment to facilitate further discussions with the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC).
After the hearing resumed, the counsel presented a letter from the actor to the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC), which he described as a heartfelt expression of respect for the Kannada language and its people.
“I’ve communicated everything that was said by this court. But first, please look at the letter he had sent to the KFCC,”
Subsequently reading Haasan’s written statement aloud in court.
The lawyer informed the court,
“Our statement is on record. We made this statement today only. First thing he did was send out this letter. It has been written with all sincerity about language,”
“Because of a statement he made, he should not be compelled to say something else. Everyone has a right to express themselves.”
However, the court noted that while the letter conveyed certain sentiments, it lacked a direct apology.
Bench, led by Justice M Nagaprasanna, remarked,
“Everything in this statement is fine. Only one sentence is missing,”
The counsel contended that there was no malice in Haasan’s remarks and that the controversy arose from a single comment directed at an individual, not the Kannada language itself.
The lawyer argued,
“One statement was made in reference to an individual. Another superstar was being invited. One statement cannot lead to the assumption that the language itself is being attacked. We just want to clarify that,”
Emphasizing Haasan’s long-standing admiration for Kannada culture, the counsel added,
“One statement made at an audio launch has led to this outcome. Kamal has made it clear that his love for the language is sincere. We should appreciate that.”
Justice Nagaprasanna responded,
“Apology is not a compulsion. It should have been the grace that he should have followed.”
He continued,
“There are many ways to clarify statements, but only one way to offer an apology.”
Reiterating Haasan’s deep respect for the language and its people, the counsel asserted that his client expressed the statement “out of the greatest sincerity of my heart.”
The court, however, remained unsatisfied.
Justice Nagaprasanna commented,
“You are sticking to ego. It is the sentiments of the masses that have been undermined,”
“It’s not ego,” the counsel replied to the judge’s observation.
Asserting that an apology is warranted only in cases of malice, he maintained,
“An explanation has been given. There was no intention to insult the language,”
The court then pointedly asked,
“Then why not end it by saying sorry?”
Seeking closure on the matter, the counsel said,
“We want this matter to be put to rest. Everyone has to survive in this industry. Tamil films will release in Karnataka… Kannada films will also release. No one can divide the country.”
Justice Nagaprasanna replied,
“No one is speaking about dividing the country.”
The counsel concluded,
“He has said what he has to say. If this is how things are, he doesn’t want to release the movie in Karnataka.”
The High Court noted that the petitioner was not inclined to release the film in Karnataka for the time being and accepted the request for adjournment until further dialogue could take place among all parties involved.
The case was adjourned, with the next hearing scheduled for June 10 at 3:30 PM.
Case Title: Raajkamal Films International v. State of Karnataka