The Supreme Court has strongly criticized the Karnataka High Court for its handling of the "Thug Life" ban, a film featuring Kamal Haasan. Simultaneously, Akshay Kumar's highly anticipated film, "Welcome To The Jungle," the sequel to the "Welcome" series, faces significant delays due to financial constraints.
Regarding "Thug Life," the Supreme Court took issue with the Karnataka High Court's suggestion that Kamal Haasan should apologize for his remarks concerning the Kannada language. The controversy arose after Haasan stated that Kannada originated from Tamil, sparking protests and threats of bans by film associations in Karnataka. Justices Ujjal Bhuyan and Manmohan of the Supreme Court rebuked the Karnataka government for its delayed response in the case, emphasizing that the rule of law must prevail and that "goons and vigilante groups" cannot be allowed to dictate what gets screened in theaters.
The Supreme Court bench underscored the importance of freedom of speech and expression, stating that disagreeing with someone's opinion does not justify threatening to burn down cinemas. They questioned the High Court's demand for an apology from Haasan, calling it inappropriate and transferring the case to the Supreme Court for further hearing. The court has given the Karnataka government one day to respond, stressing that any film cleared by the Censor Board has the legal right to be released. The Supreme Court also made it clear that mob threats cannot dictate what gets screened in theaters.
In a related development, Akshay Kumar's "Welcome To The Jungle" has encountered significant hurdles, primarily due to financial troubles. The film, which began shooting in December 2023, has seen minimal progress, with the last shoot occurring in August 2023. Several schedules have been canceled in the last six months, leaving the cast and crew uncertain about the project's future. The primary reason for these delays is reportedly the non-payment of dues to the actors and their staff. Some actors have even left the film due to these issues, while others remain committed because of their belief in the "Welcome" franchise.
According to sources, approximately 60% of "Welcome To The Jungle" has been shot, with 40% still pending. Akshay Kumar reportedly holds an 80% stake in the film, while producer Firoz Nadiadwala and other stakeholders share the remaining 20%. The financial disputes among these stakeholders are believed to be a significant factor in the stalled payments and overall production delays. Originally slated for a December 2024 release, the film's timeline is now uncertain.
