Karnataka Chamber of Commerce Decides Against Releasing Kamal Haasan’s Films – Potential Rs 25 Crore Loss Looms

The Karnataka Chamber of Commerce has reportedly decided not to release Kamal Haasan’s upcoming film ‘Thuglife’ and his other projects in Karnataka, escalating the ongoing controversy around the actor.

Thuglife, directed by Mani Ratnam and starring Kamal Haasan, is scheduled for a global release on June 5. However, tensions arose following Kamal Haasan’s recent statement claiming that the Kannada language originated from Tamil, which drew strong criticism from Karnataka’s political leaders, including Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.

Protests quickly followed, with Kannada organizations tearing down Dhakalife posters and demanding a complete ban on the film’s release in the state.

In a recent meeting, the Karnataka Chamber of Commerce formally announced its decision to block Kamal Haasan’s films, including Thuglife, in Karnataka. Industry insiders estimate this move could lead to losses of up to ?25 crore for the film’s team.

With just five days left before the release, there remains some hope that negotiations might reverse the decision and allow the film to hit theaters in Karnataka.

For context, Kamal Haasan’s previous film Vikram earned around ?12 crore in Karnataka, underscoring the financial impact of this ban.