Legal Victory for ‘Thug Life’: Supreme Court Intervention Leads to Release in Karnataka

Kamal Haasan’s ‘Thug Life’ is set to be released in Karnataka, as the Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (KRV) has withdrawn its protest following a Supreme Court order. Praveen Shetty confirmed that the organization would not oppose the film’s release. This decision follows the Supreme Court’s directive to the Karnataka government, which had been facing pressure from pro-Kannada groups due to Haasan’s comments on the Kannada language. Shetty stated that the group would respect the court’s decision and criticized the use of police force against activists. The Supreme Court had intervened after the government delayed the film’s release, making it clear that certified films cannot be blocked. Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar urged pro-Kannada organizations to comply with the court order and maintain peace. The controversy arose from Haasan’s speech at the film’s audio launch in Chennai, where he made remarks about the origins of the Kannada language. The Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) had earlier banned the film’s release pending an apology. The film features a prominent cast including Trisha, Silambarasan, and others.