Bengaluru, June 2025 — While the Supreme Court has authorized the theatrical release of Kamal Haasan’s film Thug Life in Karnataka, the film’s local distributor, Venkatesh Kamalakar, is unconvinced about moving forward, citing both financial impracticality and ongoing public discontent.
Directed by Mani Ratnam, Thug Life was released nationwide two weeks ago but faced delays in Karnataka due to backlash over Haasan’s comments about the Kannada language, which sparked protests from local groups. The issue escalated to the country’s top court, which ruled on June 17 that a state must facilitate a certified film’s release, reiterating that a CBFC certificate guarantees the film’s right to be screened.
Distributor Not On Board
Despite the legal green light, Kamalakar said it “makes no business sense” to release the film now. “The movie has already run its course across India. Additionally, the controversy over Haasan’s statements has deeply hurt local sentiments,” he told PTI. He added that Kamal Haasan’s recent films have had a mixed track record in Karnataka, with Indian 2 underperforming, although Vikram did well in 2022.
“Thug Life is not receiving positive word-of-mouth, and Kamal Haasan doesn’t have a blind fan base here. This makes it a highly risky venture,” he stated.
Kamalakar had reportedly paid around ₹9 crore in advance for the distribution rights but remained confident about recovering the amount, citing the lack of fault on their part.
Protest Continues Despite SC Verdict
Several pro-Kannada outfits in Bengaluru continue to oppose the film’s release, urging theatre owners to reject screenings. In response, local police issued warnings and notices to activists, restricting protests to Freedom Park, Bengaluru’s designated protest site. However, some activists, including Praveen Shetty, have refused to comply, further complicating the situation.
About Thug Life
Thug Life marked a much-anticipated reunion between Kamal Haasan and Mani Ratnam, nearly four decades after their iconic film Naayakan. Unfortunately, the film failed to resonate with critics or audiences, earning a modest ₹96 crore in two weeks.
While the SC ruling stands as a victory for artistic freedom, commercial and socio-political hurdles continue to cast doubt on Thug Life‘s fate in Karnataka.
