Bengaluru: The Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) has firmly stated that no theatres in Karnataka will screen the film ‘Thug Life,’ despite actor Kamal Haasan’s decision to pursue legal action. KFCC President M. Narasimhalu made this announcement on Monday in response to news that Raaj Kamal International, the film’s co-producer, had approached the court seeking protection for the film’s release.
In a media briefing, Narasimhalu expressed that the KFCC was only made aware of Haasan’s legal actions through media reports. “We will consult with our legal team regarding this matter. This issue transcends the film industry; it has evolved into a matter of state and language. We have received correspondence from the government on this topic, and there is a strong demand for an apology from various stakeholders, including pro-Kannada organizations, politicians, and the public,” he stated. “Let them proceed to court. We have not violated any laws, and as it stands, none of our theatres will screen the film.”
Narasimhalu further noted that distributors had informed him they would reach a decision on Tuesday after discussing the situation with Haasan, who is currently in Dubai promoting the film. “After their conversation, they will communicate their decision to us. We will also deliberate on the court protection request and determine our next steps,” he added. He mentioned that the South Indian Film Chamber of Commerce has also attempted to engage with Haasan regarding the matter.
On Monday, the actor filed a petition with the Karnataka High Court seeking protection to facilitate the smooth release of his film, “Thug Life,” in the state.
Also Read: Karnataka: Kamal Haasan Seeks Court Protection to Overcome KFCC’s ‘Thug Life’ Boycott
This legal action follows a recent announcement by the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC), which stated that it would prohibit the screening of the film in Karnataka unless the actor publicly apologizes for his comments suggesting that the Kannada language evolved from Tamil.
The actor-politician has since clarified that his remarks regarding Kannada were made out of affection, asserting that “love will never apologize.”
