'You May Be Kamal Haasan...': Karnataka High Court On Kannada Language Row | Top Quotes

Last Updated:June 03, 2025, 14:13 IST

The Karnataka High Court slammed Kamal Haasan over his "Kannada was born from Tamil" remark, saying it hurt public sentiment, and observing that an apology would have ended it all.

A file photo of veteran actor Kamal Haasan (PTI)

The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday strongly pulled up actor and filmmaker Kamal Haasan for his recent remark suggesting that “Kannada was born out of Tamil".

The court began hearing petitions seeking direction to authorities, including the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce, not to take any measures–to restrain or refrain from screening and releasing the actor’s movie ‘Thug Life’, which is scheduled for release on June 5.

Criticising his remark strongly, the court observed that a single apology could have resolved the situation.

Justice M Nagaprasanna, who presided over the hearing, said that the statement had hurt the sentiments of the people of Karnataka and questioned Haasan’s refusal to offer an apology.

Here are the quotes by the Karnataka High Court bench.

• “You may be Kamal Haasan or anybody, you cannot hurt the sentiments of the masses"
• “A public figure cannot make such statements. What has happened because of it is unrest, disharmony"
• “On what basis have you made the statement? Are you a historian, linguist? On what basis did you speak?"
• “You are seeking protection for the release of your film. An apology would have done"
• “You know the importance of the film, saying it is made by (filmmaker) Mani Ratnam, but you cannot make a statement (apology)"
• “For your own creation, you want police machinery to support now. Language is a sentiment attached to the people. You are not an ordinary man, you are a public figure. People writing on social media are also being investigated"
• “Fundamental right of speech and expression cannot be stretched to hurt sentiments of the masses"
• “You apologise, you want to earn from here"
• “Discretion is the best part of valour, we will not permit anybody’s sentiments to be taken for a ride. Mistakes happen, you must know what to do when mistakes happen"
• “Due to a slip of the tongue, anything can happen. Spoken words cannot be taken back, but they can be apologised for. You cannot unscramble a scrambled egg"

Kamal Haasan’s remark that “Kannada was born out of Tamil" made at the audio release of his film in Chennai in the last week of May, stoked a controversy, triggering protests in the neighbouring state.

The South India Artistes’ Association defended him, claiming he aimed to promote unity.

Vani Mehrotra

Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has nearly 10 years of experience in both national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks.

Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has nearly 10 years of experience in both national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks.

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