Supreme Court Ruling Allows ‘Thug Life’ Release Amidst Protests; Pro-Kannada Group Relents

In a significant development, the Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (KRV) has withdrawn its protest against the release of Kamal Haasan’s ‘Thug Life’ in Karnataka. Praveen Shetty confirmed the decision, which comes after a Supreme Court order mandating the film’s release. The court’s intervention followed objections from pro-Kannada groups regarding Haasan’s earlier statements about the Kannada language. Shetty stated that the group would abide by the court’s decision. The Supreme Court had previously directed the Karnataka government to justify the delay in the film’s release, asserting that certified films should not be subject to bans enforced by activist groups. Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar appealed to pro-Kannada organizations to respect the court’s order and maintain peace within the state. The film’s controversy stemmed from Haasan’s remarks during the audio launch, where he touched upon the linguistic origins of Kannada. The Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) previously sought an apology from Haasan before allowing the film’s release. The film stars a diverse ensemble cast.