Release of 'Thug Life' pushed back in K'taka, to release elsewhere on 5 June

The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday, 3 June said actor Kamal Haasan's statement on the Kannada language stirred a hornet's nest and led to unrest in the state. Criticising Haasan for his recent remark suggesting that "Kannada was born out of Tamil", the court observed that a "single apology could have resolved the situation".

The actor informed the court that his upcoming film Thug Life would not be released in Karnataka on 5 June, the scheduled date for the pan-India release of the film.

The court posted to 10 June the hearing on his plea seeking adequate security at theatres planning to screen it in the state amidst a boycott by the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC).

Justice M. Nagaprasanna further noted that the producers were not willing to screen the film unless there was a dialogue or a trialogue involving the KFCC. Meanwhile, the KFCC reiterated on 3 June that the actor withdraw his statement on Kannada and apologise.

The KFCC held an executive committee meeting after the Karnataka High Court's order. "In the meeting, we discussed everything that has happened so far, including Haasan's letter that talked about brotherly harmony, coexistence, love, trust, etc. Like him, we too want love and trust with the neighbouring states. But we have decided that unconditional apology is what the pro-Kannada organisations, the government and the entire people of the state want," a statement issued after the meeting read.