Will the SC Ensure Protection for the Release of ‘Thug Life’?

New Delhi, June 19 (NationPress) The Supreme Court has officially recorded the assurance provided by the Karnataka government to ensure "protection and security" for the theatrical release of ‘Thug Life’ — a film directed by renowned filmmaker Mani Ratnam and featuring superstar Kamal Haasan — in the state’s cinemas.

A bench comprising Justices Ujjal Bhuyan and Manmohan instructed the Karnataka government to initiate legal proceedings should any individual or group attempt to obstruct the film's release through coercive or violent means.

The bench, led by Justice Bhuyan, was addressing a petition that claimed the Karnataka government had hindered the film’s release via “oral directives and police interference”, despite the film receiving certification from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).

During the film’s audio launch, Kamal Haasan remarked that “Kannada is born out of Tamil”, which incited significant backlash in Karnataka. Following the actor's refusal to apologize, an “extra-judicial ban” was placed on the film’s release in the state, leading to M. Mahesh Reddy, a resident of Bengaluru, filing a public interest litigation (PIL) in the Supreme Court.

The Karnataka Home Department, in an affidavit presented to the Supreme Court, asserted that it has not imposed any restrictions on the film’s release. It further stated that if the producers opt to release the movie in Karnataka, the state government will provide "protection and security" for all involved, including the cast, director, producers, exhibitors, and audience.

The affidavit emphasized: "It is the duty and responsibility of the State Government to uphold the fundamental rights of its citizens and maintain the 'Rule of Law' in the state. [It] is submitted that if the movie is released and screened in the State of Karnataka, the State Government, as is duty-bound, shall take all necessary steps to maintain law and order and provide security to all concerned citizens and stakeholders."

On Tuesday, Justice Bhuyan's Bench delivered pointed remarks, stating that it cannot permit mobs and vigilante groups to dominate the streets.

"The rule of law mandates that any film with a CBFC certificate must be allowed to be released, and the state government must facilitate its screening. It cannot be that a film's release is jeopardized by threats of violence against cinemas. We are not mandating that people must watch the film, but it must be released," they stated.

"We cannot allow mobs and vigilante groups to take control of the streets. The rule of law must prevail," the apex court addressed the counsel for the Karnataka government.