In a bold and principled move, legendary Tamil actor Kamal Haasan has decided not to release his highly anticipated pan-India gangster drama Thug Life in Karnataka on June 5. This follows his refusal to apologize for a controversial statement he made regarding the origins of the Kannada language.

In a letter addressed to the Kannada Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC), Kamal clarified that he would not offer an apology, stating, "Apologies are for mistakes, not for misunderstandings." The decision, though lauded by his supporters, is expected to result in an estimated loss of ₹12 to ₹15 crore for the makers, including Kamal himself and director Mani Ratnam, as per trade experts.

Despite the setback, support for Kamal is surging online, with #IStandWithKamalHaasan trending across social media platforms. Fans and film lovers are hailing his stand as courageous and principled.

Directed by Mani Ratnam, Thug Life boasts a stellar ensemble cast including Simbu, Trisha, Abhirami, Ashok Selvan, Aishwarya Lekshmi, Sanya Malhotra, Joju George, and Ali Fazal. With music composed by AR Rahman, the film is still poised for a strong opening across other regions this weekend.