Ensure release of Kamal Haasan's 'Thug Life', Supreme Court tells Karnataka

Coming down heavily on the Karnataka government after actor Kamal Haasan's film Thug Life was not screened in theatres in the state, the Supreme Court on Tuesday said mob and vigilantes cannot be allowed to take over streets.

A bench of Justices Ujjal Bhuyan and Manmohan said the rule of law ought to be established and guns cannot be put to people's heads to stop them from watching the movie.

"We can't allow mobs and vigilantes to take over the streets. The rule of law must prevail. We can't allow this to happen. If somebody has made a statement, counter it with a statement. if somebody has written something, you can counter it by some writing," Justice Bhuyan told the Karnataka government's counsel and directed him to file a response on the matter by 18 June.

Advocate A. Velam, appearing for petitioner M. Mahesh Reddy, who challenged the film's non screening in Karnataka, said the state hadn't filed complaints against those issuing threats.

Justice Manmohan said, "Rule of law demands that any film which has a CBFC certificate must be released and the State has to ensure its screening. You cannot put a gun on people's head and say don't watch the movie."

The judge went on, "It can't be that at the fear of burning down the cinemas, that the film can't be shown. People may not watch the film. That is a different matter. We are not passing any order that people must watch the film. But the film must be released."

Thug Life released in cinema halls across the country on 5 June.