The Thug Life controversy continues to escalate, with new developments emerging every day. After refusing to issue an apology, actor Kamal Haasan has moved the Karnataka High Court, challenging the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce’s (KFCC) “illegal” ban on his upcoming film. Thug Life marks the veteran actor’s much-anticipated reunion with Nayakan director Mani Ratnam after 38 years. The film is scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release on June 5. As the release date approaches, here’s a look at the timeline of events surrounding the controversy.
During the audio launch of Mani Ratnam’s film Thug Life, Kamal Haasan landed himself in controversy after he referred to actor Shivarajkumar as “family in another state” and remarked, “Your language was born out of Tamil.” This statement sparked immediate backlash in Karnataka with many viewing it as diminishing the heritage of the Kannada language.
Kamal Haasan at a Thug Life event. (Photo: X)
May 25-27: Pro-Kannada groups demands apology from Kamal Haasan
Post Kamal Haasan’s statement, several pro-Kannada groups including the Karnataka Rakshana Vedike expressed their displeasure. Several videos of the group’s members tearing down Thug Life posters and burning the actor’s effigy surfaced online. They even warned theaters against screening the film.
Later, Minister for Kannada and Culture, Shivaraj Tangadagi wrote to Karnataka Film Chambers of Commerce (KFCC), urging them to ban all films featuring Kamal Haasan in the state unless the actor issues a public apology.
As a result, the KFCC demanded a public apology from the veteran actor by May 30, threatening to ban the film’s release in Karnataka if he failed to comply.
May 28: Kamal Haasan refuses to apologise
At another Thug Life promotional event, Kamal Haasan addressed the controversy around his statement and said his statement was made out of affection and was not intended to offend. However, he refused to apologise. The actor said, “If I’m wrong, I’ll apologise. If I’m not, I won’t.”
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Kamal Haasan at a Thug Life event. (Photo: X)
May 30: KFCC bans Thug Life
With Kamal Haasan failing to issue a public apology by May 30, KFCC officially announced a ban on the release of Thug Life in Karnataka.
During a media interaction in Bengaluru on Friday, Sa Ra Govindu, a representative of KFCC, said that they have decided to ban Thug Life as they stand firm with Karnataka Rakshana Vedike and other Kannada organisations.
June 1: Shivarajkumar and Divya Spandana reacts
Reacting to the ongoing controversy and the calls to ban Thug Life, speaking to NDTV, Divya Spandana said, “Banning the film is a little too much. However, Kamal Haasan sir should apologise and move on. We as South Indians have bigger issue to deal with-the imposition of Hindi language.”
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Shivarajkumar, who was present at the Thug Life audio launch, first gave a statement in support of Kamal Haasan, saying, “The actor has always spoken highly of Karnataka.” After receiving backlash, the actor told reporters, “All the languages are important to us. But when it comes to the mother tongue, Kannada is first priority, there’s no doubt about that. I have said this before, I can give my life for Kannada. I should not tell that (Kamal Haasan must apologise). He is a senior actor and I am the biggest fan of him.”
June 2: Kamal Haasan moves Karnataka High Court
According to Live Law, Raajkamal Films filed a petition in Karnataka High Court claiming KFCC infringes on the petitioner’s rights guaranteed under Article 19 (1) (g) of the Constitution of India. The petitioner further said that they are upset about KFCC’s decision to ban the release and distribution of the film Thug Life in Karnataka. The petition claimed that the decision to ban the movie was shared with the petitioners and the public through a press release or media statement and it seems that theatres in Karnataka will be forcibly stopped from showing the film.
Calling KFCC’s forced ban on Thug Life “illegal” and “ultra vires”, the petition claimed that the KFCC’S decision and the press statement are based on misunderstood and out-of-context remark made by actor Kamal Haasan. It further claimed that a part of Kamal’s longer statement made during the audio launch of Thug Life in Chennai was wrongly paraphrased as “Kannada was born out of Tamil”.
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The petitioner further requested the authorities to take proper steps and provide security for everyone involved with the film–including director Mani Ratnam, producers, actors, theater owners and viewers. They also requested protection for theaters and other screening locations to ensure the film can be shown without any disruptions on its release date on June 5, 2025.
