Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court on Friday directed the producers of the Kamal Haasan-starrer film Thug Life to file their objections to an application filed by Kannada Sahitya Parishattu seeking to intervene in the matter relating to the ban on the film’s release in the state.
The bench of Justice M Nagaprasanna issued the directive while hearing a writ petition filed by Raajkamal Films International, the producer of the film, challenging the ban imposed on its release in Karnataka following Haasan's controversial remark about the Kannada language during the film’s audio launch.
The court recorded that the Kannada Sahitya Parishattu had filed an impleading application and the petitioner’s counsel sought a week’s time to respond. The matter has been posted for further hearing on June 20. The interim arrangement restraining the film’s release in the state will remain in force until then.
Senior advocate S Basavaraj, representing Kannada Sahitya Parishattu, argued that the producers had abused the process of law and that their petition was not maintainable. “A person who invites controversy cannot seek extraordinary jurisdiction of the court,” he submitted, adding that the Constitution must be respected in its entirety.
The application, filed through Advocate Chintan Chinnappa, urges the Court to consider the linguistic and cultural sensitivities linked to Haasan’s statement, which allegedly undermined the historical and cultural dignity of the Kannada language.
Raajkamal Films International had moved the High Court seeking a direction to restrain the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce and others from taking steps to block the screening of 'Thug Life' across Karnataka in any language. The controversy stems from Haasan’s remarks at the film’s audio launch, wherein he claimed Kannada originated from Tamil, triggering outrage and calls for a boycott.
Though Haasan stated before the court earlier that he held “no malice” and expressed willingness to hold a dialogue with the Karnataka Film Chamber, he declined to apologise. He agreed to halt the film’s release in the State temporarily, even as it was released in theatres elsewhere on June 5.