The Karnataka government, on Thursday, filed its response in front of the Supreme Court with regards to the controversy surrounding Kamal Haasan's 'Kannada born out of Tamil' comment during the promotions of his film, Thug Life. The Karnataka government accused of Haasan indulging in a "publicity stunt" with the statement, but the SC hit back asking why did they fall for it if they knew it was a gimmick.
The release of Thug Life was unofficially banned across Karnataka after Haasan's statement offended Kannadigas. The apex body of the Kannada film industry -- Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) -- also wrote to Haasan and demanded an apology as a condition to let the film release in the state. However, the actor refused to apologise and instead, moved the SC, to secure his film's release in Karnataka.
During the hearing, the SC made it clear that the film cannot be banned in the state, and in its response, the Karnataka government said that they were not against the film, but only Haasan's statement.
"Kamal Haasan hurt the sentiments of lakhs of people in the state. It was all a publicity stunt for the film," the government representative told SC.
To that, the court responded, "Why did you fall for the publicity stunt? Why did you not approach the cops?" The SC also ordered the Karnataka government to secure the release of Thug Life in the state.
After Haasan's comment stating that the Kannada language originated from Tamil, protests erupted across Karnataka, and pro-Kannada activists threatened to boycott the actor in the state forever.
But Haasan refused to budge and stated that he would not apologise as the statement was made "out of love".
Thug Life released in theatres across India on June 5, but it failed to perform at the box office.
