Must apologise or face ban: Karnataka Minister on Kamal Haasan's Kannada remarks

Karnataka’s Minister for Kannada and Culture, Shivaraj S Tangadagi, wrote to the state Film Chamber of Commerce seeking a ban on the release of actor Kamal Haasan’s films in the state if he does not issue an apology for his remarks on Kannada language.

“He must immediately apologise for his comments about Kannada. He is a Kannada actor himself and has acted in Kannada movies. He should apologise to the people of Karnataka and Kannadigas, there are no two ways about it. Otherwise, I will write to the Film Chamber demanding a ban on the release of his movies or any of his work in the state,” he said.

In a formal letter addressed to the President of the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce, Tangadagi reiterated his stand, stating: “Regardless of how prominent a person might be, no one can be allowed to make such statements regarding the land, water, or language of Karnataka.”

“If Tamil actor Kamal Haasan fails to apologise to the people of the state and to the Kannadigas, I hereby state that a ban should be immediately imposed on the screening of his films in Karnataka,” he wrote.

The Minister also acknowledged that Haasan’s political party, Makkal Needhi Maiam, is allied with the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) in Tamil Nadu. “DMK is our ally party and they are in alliance with another small party in Tamil Nadu, where an MLA has called for a ban on Kannada films. But we did not hurt any sentiments. DMK might be our friendly party, but when it comes to language and land, it comes first,” he said.

Meanwhile, a pro-Kannada organisation filed a police complaint against Haasan over his remarks. The group, Karnataka Rakshana Vedike, also staged a protest outside the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce demanding that Kamal Haasan publicly apologise for his remarks.