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2 days ago
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The actor's latest film, Thug Life, is set to be released in theatres on June 5. (File photo)
Amid mounting protests over his comments on the Kannada language, actor-politician Kamal Haasan has approached the Karnataka High Court seeking protection to ensure the smooth release of his latest film, ‘Thug Life’, in the state. The move follows a warning by the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) that the film would be barred from release unless Haasan issues a formal apology over his remark that ‘Kannada was born out of Tamil’.
Thug Life, set to hit screens on June 5, has been caught in the crosshairs after Haasan’s remarks at the film’s audio launch in Chennai on May 24. Addressing the event, Haasan said, “Tamil gave birth to Kannada,” sparking immediate backlash across Karnataka.
Pro-Kannada organisations staged protests in cities including Bengaluru, Belagavi, Hubballi, and Mysuru, demanding an apology. Haasan, 70, later clarified in Chennai that his remarks stemmed from “love” for the language, stating, “I think what I said was said with a lot of love. Historians have taught me the language’s history… I didn’t mean anything.”
On Thursday, Kannada and Culture Minister Shivaraj Tangadagi wrote to the KFCC, urging that all films featuring Haasan be banned in Karnataka if he fails to apologise. “Despite the actor’s stature, the people of Karnataka cannot tolerate his remarks on their land, water, and language,” Tangadagi said.
He further added, “His speech about the Kannada language has deeply hurt me and the sentiments of Kannadigas. Kamal Haasan is a senior actor who has acted in many Kannada films and is knowledgeable about the language. It does not bring him any credit to speak in this manner.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah also weighed in, asserting that Kannada has a long and well-documented history. “Poor Kamal Haasan, he is simply unaware of it,” he remarked.
BJP state president B Y Vijayendra accused Haasan of “disrespecting Kannada to glorify his own mother tongue,” calling for an unconditional apology. “Artists should embody the culture of respecting all languages,” he posted on social media.
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