Kamal Haasan and Silambarasan TR’s film, Thug Life, directed by Mani Ratnam and released on June 5, is encountering significant difficulties at the domestic box office. The movie has yet to cross the Rs 50 crore mark, largely due to a controversy surrounding comments made by Kamal Haasan regarding the Kannada language during the film’s audio launch in Chennai.
At the event, Kamal Haasan stated, “Shivarajkumar is my family living in another state. That’s why he is here. That’s why when I began my speech, I said, ‘My life and my family are Tamil.’ Your language (Kannada) was born out of Tamil. So you are included in that line.” This remark ignited considerable backlash in Karnataka, leading to a ban on the film’s release in the state.
An entertainment portal reported that this ban has resulted in a substantial loss of Rs 30 crore, as the movie could not be screened in the Kannada-speaking region. Raaj Kamal Films International, the production house, has confirmed this financial setback.
As pro-Kannada activists protested against Haasan, the Karnataka Film Board also imposed a ban on the movie within the state, stipulating that it would remain in effect unless the actor issued an apology.
However, the Supreme Court of India has since intervened, criticizing both the Karnataka government and the Karnataka Film Chamber for their handling of the controversy. The apex court has given its approval for the film’s release in Karnataka, questioning the actions of both the state government and the Kannada Film Body.
Furthermore, the Supreme Court has mandated that security be provided to theaters if any threats are made against the screening of Thug Life.
