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Amid Thug Life row, Mani Ratnam says being politically correct is important but shouldn’t restrict honesty and creativity.
Kamal Haasan and Mani Ratnam are currently gearing up for the release of their movie, Thug Life.
Filmmaker Mani Ratnam has spoken about the importance of navigating today’s politically charged climate with sensitivity, stressing that while it’s important to be respectful, one shouldn’t lose authenticity in the process. The celebrated director’s comments come in the wake of the Thug Life row, which has landed actor Kamal Haasan in hot water.
“One has to be conscious now,” Ratnam told us. “People have a voice, and there is a platform to speak out. But you can’t be cowed down only by that (by the social media platform). They are asking you to be politically correct, and that also means being decent and respectful of others’ sentiments, which is not a wrong thing to have. But it should not be a huge constraint. It should not bind you into being without any flavour at all. So you have to be aware of it and do what you think is genuine for you. If you are honest, and if you come from a place of honesty, then I think there is very little to worry about.”
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Though Ratnam didn’t directly mention the Thug Life controversy, his remarks come at a time when the film is facing backlash in Karnataka over a statement Kamal Haasan made at the audio launch. The actor had referred to his co-star Shivarajkumar as “family in another state” and remarked that the Kannada language was “born out of Tamil.” The comments sparked criticism from pro-Kannada groups and cultural organisations, who saw them as dismissive of Kannada heritage.
Groups like the Karnataka Rakshana Vedike protested by tearing down Thug Life posters and burning Kamal Haasan’s effigy. Some even warned theatres against screening the film. Karnataka’s Minister for Kannada and Culture, Shivaraj Tangadagi, also intervened, urging the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) to ban the actor’s films unless he issued a public apology.
Despite mounting pressure, Haasan stood firm. At another promotional event, he stated, “If I’m wrong, I’ll apologise. If I’m not, I won’t,” insisting that his remarks stemmed from affection and were not meant to offend. Following his refusal to apologise, he moved the Karnataka High Court to challenge what he called the KFCC’s “illegal” ban on Thug Life.
The film marks a highly anticipated reunion between Kamal Haasan and Mani Ratnam after nearly four decades. Their last collaboration was the 1987 cult classic Nayakan. Thug Life is scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release on June 5, but its fate in Karnataka remains uncertain amid the ongoing controversy.
Poornima Murali, Senior Special Correspondent at CNN-News18, has reported for over a decade on civic and political issues in Tamil Nadu. She has been helming the Chennai bureau for the channel for years now. A …Read More
Poornima Murali, Senior Special Correspondent at CNN-News18, has reported for over a decade on civic and political issues in Tamil Nadu. She has been helming the Chennai bureau for the channel for years now. A … Read More
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