New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday cleared the path for the release of Kamal Haasan’s Thug Life in Karnataka, closing a public interest litigation (PIL) over an unofficial ban. The court recorded the Karnataka government’s assurance that it had not imposed any ban and would provide "full protection and security" for the film's screening.

The film had not released in Karnataka following threats linked to Haasan’s remark that “Kannada was born out of Tamil”.

‘Act against disruptors’, SC reminds State

The bench, comprising Justices Ujjal Bhuyan and Manmohan, warned the State against allowing threats to suppress free speech. “We appreciate that... but what you intend to do against those groups which threatened?” Justice Bhuyan asked. When the State assured, “We will take action. We are duty-bound to,” the court accepted its position but issued a cautionary directive.

The court stressed that once a film is cleared by the CBFC, it cannot be withheld due to external pressure. “Rule of law demands that any film which has a CBFC certificate must be released... It can’t be that at the fear of burning down the cinemas, that the film can’t be shown,” Justice Manmohan said.

Petitioner presses for legal action

Advocate A Velan, for the original petitioners, urged the court to direct the State to act against those issuing threats. He argued that the State’s affidavit was silent on that front and reminded the court of its own guidelines against hate speech and mob vigilantism.

However, the court declined to pass further directions. “Those people are not before us,” it said, noting it could not act on secondary evidence like media reports.

‘You succumbed to mob pressure’

Justice Bhuyan was critical of the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce. “You succumbed to mob pressure. Did you go to the police? No... You are hiding behind them,” he said, after KFCC admitted it had only written a letter to the producer citing protests and suggesting an apology.

“There is no end to hurt sentiments in India... where are we heading?” Justice Bhuyan remarked.

The court closed the matter but directed Karnataka to act promptly against any group or individual resorting to coercion or violence to block a film's release.