Latest news with #KamalHaasan-starrer
Time of India
9 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
No SC order on vigilantes, it says state to act against violent acts
NEW DELHI: Supreme Court on Thursday refused to lay down guidelines or impose costs on a vigilante group threatening the release of Kamal Haasan-starrer 'Thug Life' in Karnataka and closed the proceedings, saying the state should act against anybody preventing the screening or resorting to violence. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now 'Thug Life' has not been released in Karnataka yet because of the threat of violence by those protesting against Haasan's remark about Tamil being the mother of Kannada. When the PIL petitioner said it was a state minister who had made a statement to whip up passions, the bench said, "It is unfortunate but after some lashing, the state has filed an affidavit. We hope better sense prevails and vigilante groups will never do it in future. Once the state has corrected itself and understood its duties and taken a conscious and wise decision to maintain law and order, there is no need to keep the matter pending. " When the petitioner continued to press for laying down guidelines to curb vigilante groups' threat of violence to stop release of censor board cleared films on diverse pretexts, state govt counsel D L Chidanand deftly drew the court's attention to the presence of the film's producer, Rajkamal Film International, and requested the bench to seek its view. For the producer, senior advocate Satish Parashar said though non-release of the film in Karnataka had cost the producer nearly Rs 30 crore, it was now satisfied with the state govt's stand and did not intend to pursue the petition, which was transferred to Supreme Court from Karnataka high court on Tuesday. Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC), through Udayan Jain, too said that though it was in negotiation with the producer to resolve the impasse arising from Haasan's statement on Kannada language, in view of the state's stand, it would not oppose release of the film in the state. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now It also questioned KFCC for seeking an apology from Haasan. For one of the intervenors, senior advocate Sanjay Nuli said language was a very emotive subject for the people of Karnataka and the actor should have exercised restraint rather than indulging in such publicity gimmicks on the eve of release of the film. The bench said, "If the actor devised the publicity strategy, you fell for it. You file a defamation suit against the actor, but cannot take the law into your hands."
Time of India
13 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
SC pulls up Karnataka for inaction, says state must not yield to vigilante threats over 'Thug Life'
New Delhi: The Supreme Court has directed the Karnataka government to ensure that there is no obstruction to the release of Kamal Haasan-starrer film 'Thug Life' in the state. Following the direction, the state assured SC that it will provide protection to the film makers so that the film's release is not obstructed in the state. A bench comprising justices Ujjal Bhuyan and Manmohan also disapproved of the state's inaction in dealing with such threats to free speech . The development took place during the resumed hearing of a plea filed by a Bengaluru resident M Mahesh Reddy , who highlighted that despite having a valid censor certificate the film was effectively banned in Karnataka due to threats by fringe organisations and inaction by state authorities. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Morganville: Stunning New 2-Bed Senior Apartments (Take A Peek Inside) Senior Apartments | Search Ads Click Here Undo The petitioner urged SC to lay down guidelines to prevent such incidents from recurring in future, but the bench refused. The bench made it clear that the state government cannot bow to pressure from vigilante groups . "Just because of an opinion a movie is stopped, a stand up comedian is stopped, a person is stopped from reciting a poem ... You (State) succumbed to their pressure. In such circumstances the state has a duty. Simply saying a ban is not imposed will take it nowhere. You are hiding behind these groups," the bench verbally remarked. Live Events
New Indian Express
20 hours ago
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
Just because someone's sentiment is hurt, movie, stand-up comedy can't be stopped, says SC on Thug life ban
NEW DELHI: Taking strong exception to criminal elements obstructing the screening of Kamal Haasan-starrer Thug Life, the Supreme Court on Thursday directed the Karnataka government to act against those who create hindrances even as it underscored that a movie, stand-up comedy or a poem's recital can't be stopped simply because someone's sentiments are hurt. During the course of the hearing of a PIL filed by Bengaluru resident M Mahesh Reddy, challenging the ban on the screening of Tamil feature film Thug Life in Karnataka, the apex court made pertinent observations about the way artistic creations are being stalled due to protests by groups who claim that their sentiments were hurt. A bench of Justices Ujjal Bhuyan and Manmohan said, "There is no end to hurt sentiments in India. If a stand-up comedian says something, sentiments are hurt and there is vandalism and protests. Where are we heading?" Does it mean because of protests, a movie should be stopped or stand up comedy should be stopped or reciting of poems be stopped?" The bench went onto say that it did not want a situation to crop up in which someone's sentiment was hurt by utterances and the movie was stalled from releasing, or a standup show was cancelled or an artist was stopped from reciting a poem. The court directed the State of Karnataka that if any individual or group prevents the release of a movie or resorts to coercion or violence, the State shall act promptly by taking action under criminal and civil law, including make them pay for the damages. The apex court, after recording the Karnataka government's assurance that it would provide adequate security to cinema theatres screening the film, closed the PIL filed by Mahesh Reddy. Earlier, advocate A Velan, for the petitioner (Reddy), argued that the State has not taken any action against those persons who issued the threats against the film and that its affidavit is silent about that issue. He pointed out that the Supreme Court has issued various guidelines with respect to mob vigilantism and hate speeches, which the State was bound to follow in the instant case. Opposing these submissions, the State's counsel stated that the petitioner was referring to cases where the Governments imposed bans on films and that those judgments are not applicable here as the State has not banned the film. The bench appreciated the stand taken by the State. Kamal Haasan's Raj Kamal Film International Ltd, one of the producers of the film, expressed satisfaction with the State's stand. The bench then proposed to close the case. The Counsel appearing for RajKamal Film International Ltd said though they had lost Rs 30 crore (in revenue) so far, they had no problems if the state agreed to provide security for screening of the film. The top court questioned the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) for seeking an apology from veteran actor Kamal Haasan over his remark that Kannada was born out of Tamil. "We cannot allow this to happen. Just because of an opinion, should a movie be stopped? A stand-up comedy should be stopped? Recital of a poem should be stopped?," the bench asked. However, counsel for KFCC said that they did not issue any threats but only issued a letter that there was widespread protests across the state and kindly consider issuing an apology. The KFCC counsel that the mob entered their offices and after that they had issued a letter. Justice Bhuyan asked if KFCC had made any complaint to the police in this regard. "You actually succumbed to mob pressure. Did you go to the police? No. That means you have no complaints against them. You are just hiding behind them," he observed. The KFCC counsel said that they would abide by any order passed by the court.
NDTV
a day ago
- Entertainment
- NDTV
Ready To Give Protection To 'Thug Life' Makers, Karnataka Tells Supreme Court
New Delhi: As a bitter language row threatens the release of Kamal Haasan-starrer Thug Life in Karnataka, the state government has informed the Supreme Court that it is ready to extend security to the makers of the movie and its cast. The filmmakers, however, are reluctant to release the movie in the state two weeks after it hit the screens worldwide. "In the event producers of the film decide to release the movie in Karnataka, the State Government is duty bound and will give protection and security for such release and for the people connected therewith, including the cast, director, producers, the exhibitors, and the audience," the state government said in an affidavit filed in the Supreme Court. The state government's response came after the court cleared the movie's release in Karnataka two days ago. The matter will be heard later today. Thug Life, directed by Mani Ratnam, faced protests from pro-Kannada groups over Mr Hassan's controversial remarks at an event last month that "Kannada was born out of Tamil." Facing protests by pro-Kannada groups, the ace actor claimed his remark was "misunderstood" and "taken out of context". He refused to apologise and went to court after the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce threatened not to allow his movie's release in Karnataka. The film was released worldwide on June 5 but has not been screened in Karnataka so far. Venkatesh Kamalakar, the film's distributor in Karnataka, told PTI that it does not make sense to release the film now since Mr Hassan's remarks had hurt the sentiments of the Kannadigas. It may not be a good business decision to release it now, he said. His reluctance followed the Supreme Court's strong remarks that the rule of law allows a person to release his film with a censor board certificate. Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar had then appealed to Kannada activists to respect the court's decision and not take the law into their hands. "We have to abide by the Supreme Court order with honour. Everyone has limitations. I appeal to various organisations that we must have our limitations...I appeal to all the Kannada activists, please be calm, we should respect the court," he had said.
Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Karnataka govt assures Supreme Court no ban on Kamal Haasan's ‘Thug Life' screening
In a fresh development over the ongoing 'Thug Life' row, the Siddaramaiah-led Congress government in Karnataka has submitted its response to the Supreme Court, clarifying that it has not placed any ban or restriction on the film's screening, news agency ANI reported. In its affidavit, the state also assured the Court that adequate protection and security would be provided should the film's producers proceed with the release of the Kamal Haasan-starrer in Karnataka. Additionally, the state government emphasized its commitment to safeguarding all parties involved with the film's release. READ | 'Thug Life' row: Pro-Kannada outfit chief says Kamal Haasan 'should have apologised' However, the affidavit also acknowledged that the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC), the main representative body of the Kannada film industry, had previously written to Kamal Haasan, urging him to apologize for controversial remarks he made about the Kannada language. The actor had reportedly claimed that Kannada 'originated' from Tamil, sparking protests from several pro-Kannada groups. The matter is scheduled for a Supreme Court hearing today, June 19. READ | 'None of its business': Supreme Court pulls up Karnataka high court for Kamal Haasan apology remark Praveen Shetty, chief of a prominent pro-Kannada organisation on Wednesday stated that his organization does not oppose the release of Thug Life. However, he insisted that Haasan should have issued an apology in line with the Karnataka High Court's earlier suggestion. "We are not opposing the release of the movie 'Thug Life' of Kamal Haasan. It was a simple issue. After hurting the sentiments of Karnataka by saying that the Kannada language has been born out of the Tamil language, he should have apologised as per the suggestions given by the Karnataka HC. But he went to the Supreme Court. Now, the Supreme Court has given an order, so we will accept it. Curbing activism by deploying police is against the Constitution and the law of the land," he said. READ | Why would any self-respecting Kannadiga watch 'Thug Life'? asks Pro Kannada outfit leader Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar also appealed to pro-Kannada organizations to honour the Supreme Court's directive, which had instructed the state to ensure the film's unhindered release. "We should all respect the order given by the court in the Kamal Haasan case. I appeal to pro-Kannada organisations that we should not cross our limits and should be peaceful. No one should take the law into their own hands. Our state is a peace-loving state," Shivakumar said. (With inputs from ANI)
