Today, On 9th June, The Supreme Court refused urgent hearing on a plea seeking protection for theatres screening Kamal Haasan’s “Thug Life” in Karnataka. The bench asked the Karnataka theatre association to approach the High Court, addressing concerns about fringe groups threatening violence.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court declined to urgently hear a petition seeking protection against threats from groups opposing the screening of “Thug Life,” a recent film featuring Kamal Haasan.
The petition, filed by the Karnataka Theatres Association under Article 32, alleged that certain fringe groups were threatening cinemas in Karnataka that intended to show the film.
A bench consisting of Justice Prashant Kumar Mishra and Justice Manmohan directed the Karnataka theatre association to approach the Karnataka High Court instead.
The production house sought relief from the Supreme Court regarding this matter.
The petitioners noted that when they previously approached the High Court, they were advised to negotiate a compromise with the very groups issuing the threats.
Ultimately declining the request for an early listing and directing the petitioners to approach the High Court instead, Justice P.K. Mishra stated while hearing the petition,
“Why file an Article 32 petition here? Go to the High Court,”
During a brief discussion of the case, the petitioner’s counsel characterized the situation as a serious law-and-order issue in Karnataka, seeking urgent intervention from the Supreme Court.
A lawyer representing the petitioner highlighted the open threats from fringe groups opposing the film’s screening in Karnataka, stating, “there are open threats by fringe elements and they are saying theatres will be set on fire.”
Justice Mishra, while declining to grant an urgent hearing, suggested,
“Install fire extinguishers,”
Also advised the petitioner to seek recourse in the High Court.
“Thug Life” was released in cinemas nationwide on June 5.
The Tamil film, which marks a reunion between the 70-year-old actor and filmmaker Mani Ratnam since 1987’s “Nayakan,” faced a ban in Karnataka following Haasan’s remarks about the Kannada language, which ignited significant controversy. It was also released in Telugu, Hindi, and Malayalam.
The dispute revolves around Karnataka’s ban on the actor’s film, which followed his controversial comments regarding the origins of the Kannada language.
In a hearing at the Karnataka High Court last week concerning a plea for protection to screen the film, the actor declared that he would not release the movie in Karnataka for the time being.
The producers had turned to the High Court after the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce imposed a statewide ban on the film’s release in response to demands from pro-Kannada groups.
Case Title: Raajkamal Films International v. State of Karnataka