Actor Kamal Haasan has drawn criticism from the Karnataka High Court for seeking urgent legal relief to ensure the smooth release of his upcoming film Thug Life in the state. The film is facing backlash following Haasan’s controversial remarks suggesting that the Kannada language originated from Tamil—a statement that triggered widespread outrage.
Haasan approached the court to restrain opposition to the film’s release, arguing that his comments were misinterpreted and taken out of context. However, the court dismissed his explanation, stating that his written response lacked an apology. “You may be Kamal Haasan or anyone, but you cannot hurt public sentiment,” the bench stated, questioning his authority to comment on linguistic origins.
The Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce has threatened to block the film’s release unless Haasan issues a public apology. The actor, however, has refused to do so. The controversy has drawn attention from pro-Kannada groups and sparked regional tensions.
Directed by Mani Ratnam, Thug Life reunites Haasan with the filmmaker after nearly four decades. The film boasts a star-studded cast including Trisha and Silambarasan, with music by A.R. Rahman and a budget reportedly around ₹300 crore.
