Here are the big stories from Karnataka today

Karnataka Today newsletter: Kamal Haasan to not release ‘Thug Life’ in State on June 5, and more

Tamil movie Thug Life will not be released in Karnataka as part of its worldwide launch on June 5, as actor Kamal Haasan chose not to tender an apology for his statement that ’Kannada is born out of Tamil’ despite a suggestion made in this regard by the High Court of Karnataka to put an end to the controversy.

Raajkamal Films International (in which Mr. Haasan is a director), had filed a petition seeking police protection for release of the movie due to opposition from pro-Kannada organisations and the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC). The company stated that it is not willing to screen the movie in Karnataka unless an encouraging dialogue takes place with the KFCC.

As Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) get ready to fight it out one last time in the final match of this year’s Indian Premier League (IPL) against Punjab Kings, fans back home are beyond excited. Many have been out on the road from Tuesday (June 3, 2025) afternoon itself buying merchandise, arranging screenings and some even taking out bike rallies with flags.

More than 10,000 people are expected to gather at BGS Grounds in Vijayanagar where a screening of the match has been arranged. Bengaluru City Police have made elaborate security arrangements to monitor law and order. City Police Commissioner B. Dayananda said police have been deployed at strategic locations for the events to remain peaceful. 

The Gig and Platform Service Workers’ Union (GIPSWU), the first women-led platform-based gig workers union in India, has launched a ‘Worker Ka IPO’ campaign, aiming to mobilise investors, consumers, and workers around Urban Company’s upcoming IPO launch. The campaign demands ‘a more sustainable and less precarious model for UC’s growth as a public company’.

The union has sent an open letter to the company’s prospective investors with two key demands — representation and participation in management decisions around working conditions and customer relations, and right to be informed about the company’s evaluation and to buy UC’s stocks at a discounted price in the future.

The Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) has partnered with the Museum of Art & Photography (MAP), Bengaluru to offer passengers a unique cultural experience in its Terminal 2 (T2). T2 is already home to a collection of 210 carefully curated artworks by more than 60 artists.