In case you missed it, Mani Ratnam’s Thug Life has been banned in Karnataka following Kamal Haasan’s controversial remark that “Kannada is born from Tamil,” and his refusal to apologise, stating it was said “out of love.” Despite the controversy, the actor’s devoted fanbase is undeterred. Many are taking to social media to declare they’ll travel the 42-kilometre stretch from Bengaluru to Hosur just to watch his latest film.
As Thug Life hit theatres on Thursday, fans flooded social media with pictures and videos from outside cinema halls, celebrating the release and sharing early reviews. One user on X (formerly Twitter) shared clips of fans lighting firecrackers at a single-screen theatre in Hosur, Tamil Nadu, adding, “Thug Life is banned in Karnataka, but our love for Kamal Haasan knows no bounds. All the fans from Bangalore are here in Hosur!”
Even on Reddit, fans were actively discussing the journey. One Bengaluru-based Kamal fan posted, “Is it safe to ride to Hosur tomorrow to watch THUG LIFE? Please don’t take offense… I just don’t want my bike to get scratched or tyres punctured.” Another reassured them, noting that Hosur has many KA-registered vehicles, just as Bengaluru hosts several TN-registered ones. Many others chimed in to confirm that the trip should be safe.
Language Controversy Overshadows Big Comeback
Thug Life marks a long-awaited reunion between Mani Ratnam and Kamal Haasan—nearly four decades after their iconic 1987 film Nayakan. However, Kamal’s recent statement during a promotional event in Karnataka has sparked backlash, overshadowing the release. On Tuesday, the Karnataka High Court criticised Haasan for refusing to apologise. The judge remarked that a “single apology” might have resolved the matter, even questioning whether the actor was qualified to make such a linguistic assertion.
The film features an ensemble cast including Kamal Haasan, Silambarasan TR, Trisha Krishnan, Abhirami, Aishwarya Lekshmi, Ashok Selvan, Joju George, Nassar, Ali Fazal, Rohit Saraf, and Baburaj.
