Supreme Court slams Karnataka govt over ban on Kamal Haasan’s ‘Thug Life’

The Supreme Court on Tuesday made scathing remarks against Karnataka’s “extra-judicial ban” on the screening of ‘Thug Life’ — a film by veteran filmmaker Mani Ratnam and superstar Kamal Haasan.

“Rule of law demands that any film which has a CBFC certificate must be released, and the state government has to ensure its screening. It can’t be that, at the threat of burning down the cinemas, the film can’t be released. We



are not passing an order that people come and watch the film. But the film must be released,” remarked a Bench headed by Justice Ujjal Bhuyan.

The apex court was dealing with a writ petition filed by Bengaluru‘s M. Mahesh Reddy, alleging that despite certification by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), the Karnataka government has prevented Thug Life’s theatrical release through oral instructions and police interference.