The Karnataka High Court is urging the producers of Thug Life—featuring Kamal Haasan—to formally respond to a plea from the Kannada Sahitya Parishat (KSP) seeking intervention in the controversy. The KSP has requested to join the legal proceedings, arguing that Haasan’s remark—that “Kannada originated from Tamil”—“undermines the status of Kannada” and infringes on cultural sentiments . The High Court has scheduled the matter for June 13, following the earlier assurance from the film’s makers that it would not be released in Karnataka without consulting the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce. The court emphasized that freedom of expression does not include the right to disturb public harmony, and it is now awaiting the producers’ formal stand on whether they will apologise or offer sufficient explanation.

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