In a landmark decision on June 17, 2025, the Supreme Court firmly asserted that Karnataka cannot enforce a de facto ban on Thug Life through coercion or intimidation. The bench criticized the High Court for coercing actor Kamal Haasan to apologize over his remarks on Kannada, stating, “guns can’t be put to people's head” and warning that a "mob can't be allowed to take to streets".

The film, directed by Mani Ratnam and starring Kamal Haasan, had cleared the Central Board of Film Certification but was barred in Karnataka following protests over a comment suggesting Kannada is derived from Tamil. Pro-Kannada groups and the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce demanded an apology, creating what the Supreme Court described as "extra-legal censorship".

The apex court has asked the state government to explain its inaction in securing Haasan’s freedom of expression, while affirming that artistic speech is constitutionally protected. With this ruling, the path is now open for Thug Life to release across Karnataka, pending theatre-level security and logistics.