The Supreme Court on Friday issued a notice to the Karnataka government over a petition challenging the alleged extra-judicial ban on the screening of ‘Thug Life’, a Tamil-language film starring Kamal Haasan.

The petitioner claimed the film, though duly certified by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), was facing threats and intimidation from non-state actors, leading to its effective ban in the state.

According to an IANS report, a bench of Justices Prashant Kumar Mishra and Manmohan sought a response from the state authorities after hearing advocate A Velan, who appeared for the petitioner M Mahesh Reddy, a Bengaluru resident. The public interest litigation (PIL) was filed under Article 32 of the Constitution, citing violations of fundamental rights including the freedom of speech and expression, the right to equality, and the right to life and personal liberty.

“It is argued that a duly CBFC-certified Tamil feature film ‘Thug Life’ is not allowed to be screened in theatres in Karnataka. The so-called ban under the threat of violence stems from not any lawful procedure but a deliberate campaign of terror, including explicit threats of arson against cinema halls and incitement to large-scale violence targeting linguistic minorities,” the bench observed. The court, noting the urgency of the matter, issued notice to the respondents and sought their reply.

The film, directed by Padma Shri recipient Mani Ratnam and starring Padma Bhushan awardee Kamal Haasan, is slated for nationwide release on June 5, 2025. However, the petitioner claimed that despite being CBFC-approved, the film had become a target of violent threats in Karnataka due to recent controversial remarks made by Haasan regarding the origin of the Kannada language. These remarks reportedly triggered large-scale protests and demands for an apology from the actor.

The plea pointed out that while the film was being openly promoted for screening by Victory Cinema in Bengaluru, right-wing activists, notably T A Narayana Gowda of Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (KRV), allegedly issued public threats to burn down theatres screening ‘Thug Life’. These threats, amplified through social media, reportedly invoked memories of the 1991 anti-Tamil riots, escalating communal tension.

Further, the petition alleged that despite such threats, the Karnataka police failed to register any First Information Report (FIR) or take preventive action. Instead, the State was accused of siding with extremist elements, enabling a climate of fear. KRV members reportedly laid siege to Victory Cinema and forced the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce to impose an unofficial ban—an act described in the plea as symptomatic of a breakdown in lawful governance.

The petition also criticized the Karnataka High Court’s response when the film’s production house, Raaj Kamal Films International, sought protection. The High Court’s proceedings, according to the petitioner, appeared more inclined towards appeasement rather than ensuring constitutional protections.

The PIL seeks the Supreme Court’s direction to ensure the safe, secure, and unimpeded exhibition of the film across all willing theatres and multiplexes in Karnataka. It also calls for the prosecution of individuals and organisations responsible for issuing threats, inciting communal violence, or obstructing lawful screenings, and asks the State to submit a time-bound status report detailing the actions taken.

The case has now been listed for further hearing, with the Supreme Court making it clear that intimidation and unlawful censorship cannot override constitutional freedoms.