Screening of films cannot be threatened with arson, violence: Supreme Court-OxBig News Network

SC upheld the rights of filmmakers and theatre owners to release movies without threats of arson and violence, while making it clear that the Karnataka government must protect Kamal Haasan’s right to screen ‘Thug Life’ in Karnataka. File
| Photo Credit: B. Jothi Ramalingam

The Supreme Court on Tuesday (June 17, 2025) upheld the rights of filmmakers and theatre owners to release movies without threats of arson and violence while making it clear that the Karnataka government must protect Kamal Haasan’s right to screen ‘Thug Life’ in the State.

“We cannot have mobs and vigilante groups take over our streets. We cannot allow this to happen. Rule of law must prevail,” Justice Ujjal Bhuyan, heading a Vacation Bench also comprising Justice Manmohan, addressed the Karnataka government side.

The Bench was hearing a petition filed by Bengaluru resident, M. Mahesh Reddy, represented by advocate Athenam Velan, seeking to ensure the safe and unimpeded screening of Mr. Haasan’s CBFC-certified Tamil film in Karnataka.

The petition had also sought action against elements who have issued threats and incited violence against theatres and the makers of the film.

“The rule of law demands that any person must be allowed to release his film. Filmmakers cannot suffer the bane or fear that cinemas would be burnt down for showing the film. People may not come or watch the film… We are not passing an order to the people to come and watch the movie… But the film must be shown,” Justice Manmohan observed.

The court said it would intervene strongly in the case in its role as not only the custodian of the rule of law but also the guardian of fundamental rights.

“Rule of law says that you cannot stop the release of a film. It is the duty of the State to ensure a film is released after it gets the the CBFC certificate. That is the law we follow… People may not come to see the film, but arson and gheraos of cinemas cannot come in the way of freedom of expression,” Justice Manmohan underscored.

Justice Bhuyan referred to the case of the Marathi play ‘Me Nathuram Godse Boltoy’ in the 1990s.

“There were critical references in it about none other than the Father of the Nation. The Maharashtra government banned it. The Bombay High Court set aside the ban to safeguard the right to have a different view,” Justice Bhuyan related in court.

The judge also referred to the protection from criminal prosecution afforded to Rajya Sabha MP Imran Pratapgarhi.The MP was facing an FIR for posting his poem on social media.

“Let there be a debate if someone makes a statement. There would be something wrong in a system in which one person makes a statement and everybody believes it as gospel truth,” Justice Manmoham said.

Mr. Velan had said the move to appeal the apex court was necessitated by the fact that the Karnataka High Court had “distressingly appeared to prioritise appeasement” in proceedings seeking the judicial protection of the fundamental right to free speech and expression.

“Instead of a clear directive to the State to stop the illegal threats and protect a certified film’s exhibition – fundamental to restoring law and order – the discussion reportedly focused on whether Mr. Kamal Haasan should apologise to the very fringe elements intimidating him and threatening public order.”

This effective endorsement of coercive censorship by suggesting compromise with perpetrators makes the High Court pathway currently ineffective for securing justice, compelling this urgent appeal in the Supreme Court as the ultimate guardian of the Constitution,” the petition had submitted.

The petition has questioned the Karnataka government’s “flagrant failure” to maintain law and order in the State and protect constitutional freedoms.

It said the “unconstitutional extra-judicial ban” in Karnataka stems not from any lawful process but from a deliberate campaign of terror and a chilling call for a repeat of past anti-Tamil riots.