Thug Life and Vishwavarupam: Story of two banners and dedication of Kamal Haasan
Kamal Haasan’s upcoming film ‘Thug Life’, directed by Mani Ratnam, has been banned in Karnataka. Twelve years ago, another actor film, ‘Vishwapam’, was also banned. Both times, Haasan was surprised.
In short
- Kamal Haasan’s film ‘Thug Life’ banned its comments on Kannada language in Karnataka
- He refuses to apologize, citing love and historical learning from experts.
- A similar disregard ban on Muslim community protests during 2013 ‘Vishwopam’
“I have been threatened first. If I am wrong, I will apologize. If not, I will not.”
For long -term followers of Kamal Haasan’s career, this danger of Karnataka may seem smaller. Very big controversies have been seen for the actor. Remember when ‘Vishwopam’ faced a ban in Tamil Nadu in 2013? Remember when ‘Vishwopam’ faced a ban in Tamil Nadu in 2013? The actor openly admitted that he would lose his property if the film was not allowed to be released.
As Kamal Haasan’s ‘Thug Life’ now faces a similar ban, although in Karnataka, let us take a look at two examples when his films were banned to allegedly hurt the feelings of a particular community.
When virtue at stake: worldopam ban
Kamal Haasan and disputes run by hand. He has seen many controversies as the number of years in the Indian film industry. When we talk about Haasan and controversies, it is a ‘Vishwapam’ ban that probably comes back to our mind.
‘Vishwapam’ was more than just one film for Kamal Haasan. Beyond the release of the film in 2013, it witnessed extensive protests from various Muslim organizations on the alleged misconception of their community.
Under J Jayalalithaa, the Tamil Nadu government banned the film for two weeks, while it was released in neighboring states.
Kamal Haasan, who was the director, producer, writer and actor of ‘Vishwapam’, was at the desire to be insolvency to continue the ban in Tamil Nadu.
At a Mumbai program in January 2013, a emotional Haasan said, “If this happens again, I will think about leaving India seriously.”
He sought the help of the court to lift the ban. Perhaps the most defined moment came a day before the decision. Hundreds of fans gathered outside Hassan’s house in Alwarpet, Chennai. He was standing on his home Sunshade with his team, giving the most emotional speech of his life.
“What I shared with you all was my grief, not my anger. If you are all sad, share your grief with me, not your anger. Muslims are my brothers among my fans and you too. Ahimsa is the highest form of heroism. My Muslim brothers and other brothers should show our unity. To protect this soil.
It was assured that his fans were needed. The ban on ‘Vishwopam’ was lifted, and the rest is history.
Kannada-tamil storm: ‘thug life’ ban
On May 24, 2025, marked the audio launch of ‘Thug Life’, a film that brought the iconic ‘Nayakan’ pair – Mani Ratnam and Kamal Haasan together. At the audio launch, Kannada superstar Shiv Rajkumar was invited as the chief guest.
Addressing the crowd and addressing him, “Vikram actor said,” Actor Shiva Rajkumar My family lives in another kingdom. So when I started my speech, I said ‘My life and my family is Tamil. Your language (Kannada) was born out of Tamil. So you are involved in that family. “
Here’s video:
A little he knew that his statement, the performance of Shivan and Tamil’s affection, would be snowball in this magnitude. Pro-Kanada activists gave an exception to the statement, claiming that Kannada was born out of Sanskrit and tore the banner of ‘Thug Jeevan’. In Belagavi district, protests were held near Inox theaters, followed by a one-Kanada group.
However, Kamal Haasan remained firm in his stance. “I said with love and many historians have taught me the history of language. I did not mean anything. Politicians are not eligible to talk about language. They do not have the ability to talk about it, including me. Let us leave all these intense discussions for historians, archaeologists and language experts.”
The Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) stood in solidarity with the pro-Kanada groups and banned the film in the state after Hasan did not apologize.
Speaking to the media in Chennai on Friday, Kamal Haasan said he would not apologize. “This is a democracy. I believe in law and justice. My love for Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala is true. No one would doubt that apart from those who have an agenda. I have been threatened before, and if I am wrong, I will apologize, if I am not, I will not.”
Whether it is ‘Vishwapam’ or ‘thug life’ in 2013, Kamal Haasan’s response remains continuously: unwavering confidence in convenient agreement. At the age of 70, the actor-Filmekar continues to select principles on profit, even when possible financial waste or state-wide sanctions.
His disregard stems from a deeply sitting faith in artistic freedom and intellectual honesty. For Haasan, back down is not an option; Standing long is the only way.
After 12 years of separation, in the era of vanning tolerance, it is the disregard of Kamal Haasan who stands outside. Unaffected, unrelated.
Then, for your passion project. Now, for a belief.
