The Karnataka government informed the court that the film’s producer had voluntarily given an undertaking to the Karnataka High Court, agreeing not to release the film until the matter is resolved.
The Karnataka government has filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court stating it has not imposed any restriction on the release of Kamal Haasan’s film in the state.
Responding after the Supreme Court criticised the delay in the film’s release, the state clarified that the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce had merely issued a letter condemning Haasan’s remarks and sought an apology, but no official ban was enforced.
The government also informed the court that Raaj Kamal Films International, the film’s producers, had voluntarily given an undertaking to the Karnataka High Court. he producers also gave an undertaking not to release the film in Karnataka until issues with the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce are resolved.
In an affidavit submitted by the Deputy Secretary of the Home Department (Law and Order), Vidhana Soudha, the Karnataka government has assured the Supreme Court that it will provide full protection and security if the producers of Kamal Haasan’s film decide to release it in the state. The security will extend to the cast, crew, producers, exhibitors and audience.
Earlier, on Tuesday, the Supreme Court had issued a notice over the alleged ban on Kamal Haasan’s Tamil film Thug Life in Karnataka, criticising groups threatening to stop its release over his reported remarks.
The court strongly stated that mob threats cannot dictate what is shown in theatres, saying, “You cannot threaten to burn down cinemas because you disagree. Respond with words, not violence.”
It stressed that if the film is cleared by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), it must be allowed to release and people are free to watch it or not. The bench also questioned why the High Court asked for an apology.
“There is something wrong with the system when one person makes a statement and everyone gets involved. Why should the High Court say ‘express an apology’? That is not its role,” the court said.
