Goa, June 18 -- The Supreme Court on Tuesday emphasized that once a film is cleared by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), its release cannot be obstructed, as it questioned why Tamil actor Kamal Haasan's upcoming film Thug Life was not being screened in Karnataka.

The apex court also took note of a directive issued by the Karnataka High Court, which had reportedly suggested that Haasan issue an apology over his past remarks comparing the Tamil and Kannada languages. The comments were made during a public event and had sparked backlash, particularly in Karnataka.

"Once the CBFC has certified a film, no one can prevent its release," the bench stated, highlighting the constitutional protection of creative expression. The court...