Let actor Kamal Haasan go to court, but no theatres in Karnataka will screen Thug Life, Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce president M Narasimhalu said on Monday.
Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) said on Thursday that it will not allow the release of Kamal Haasan's film Thug Life in Karnataka unless he issues a public apology by May 30 for his controversial remark about the Kannada language.
Kamal Haasan starrer Thug Life will not be released in Karnataka on June 5, the scheduled date for the pan-India release of the much-anticipated movie, its producers informed the Karnataka high court on Tuesday.
The move comes in response to the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce's (KFCC) recent announcement that it would not permit the screening of the film in Karnataka unless Haasan issues a public apology for his comment suggesting that Kannada evolved from Tamil.
Actor Kamal Haasan has sparked outrage in Karnataka after he said "Tamil gave birth to Kannada" at an event in Chennai. Pro-Kannada groups have staged protests across the state, demanding an apology from the actor. They have also threatened to disrupt screenings of his upcoming film "Thug Life" in Karnataka. The Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce is also set to discuss a possible ban on the actor.
The Karnataka high court on Tuesday strongly criticised actor and filmmaker Kamal Haasan for his recent remark suggesting that "Kannada was born out of Tamil", and observed that a "single apology could have resolved the situation."
Singer Sonu Nigam has issued an apology following a controversy at a concert in Bengaluru. The singer, known for tracks like "Abhi Mujh Mein Kahin", "Dil Dooba" and "No Entry", said his love for Karnataka is bigger than his ego. The incident took place on April 25 when Nigam was performing at a college in Bengaluru and a group of boys threatened him to sing in the Kannada language. Nigam responded by saying, "Kannada. Kannada. This is the reason behind the incident in Pahalgam." Many found comments made by Nigam hurtful and an FIR was registered against him at the Avalahalli Police Station in Bengaluru. The Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) announced a 'non-cooperation' campaign against Nigam for his allegedly controversial remark, which hurt the sentiments of the Kannadaigas.
Where does Kamal Haasan stand on the issue of imposition of Hindi in the south? "I stand with Punjab. I stand with Karnataka. I stand with Andhra," is his quick reply.
The Supreme Court on Tuesday came down heavily on the Karnataka government over actor Kamal Haasan's film "Thug Life" not being released in the state, saying mob and vigilantes cannot be allowed to take to the streets.
The film industry is upset with Rajinikanth's reported statement on Cauvery issue.
Protests and a ban greeted Hrithik Roshan's latest film in Karnataka.
The issue is that though the KFCC had published 75 books on various film industry personalities, it has ignored the names of those who played villains.
Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy said though it was his government's responsibility to ensure its smooth screening, he once again advised the distributors to delay it till the Cauvery dispute was resolved.
The bandh has been called by pro-Kannada and farmers' organisations, protesting the Mahadayi Water Dispute Tribunal's interim order rejecting the state's petition seeking 7.56 tmcft for drinking water projects.
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