Kamal Haasan Faces Backlash in Karnataka Over Language Remark, Defends Stand Amid Growing Controversy

Renowned actor-turned-politician Kamal Haasan has found himself at the center of a linguistic and political storm after making a contentious statement regarding the origins of the Kannada language.

During a promotional event for his upcoming film Thug Life in Chennai, Haasan reportedly stated that “Kannada is born out of Tamil,” a remark that has since drawn intense criticism, protests, and political condemnation across Karnataka.

Speaking to the media on Friday in response to the widespread backlash, Haasan remained firm in his stance, stating that he would not offer an apology unless he believed he was in the wrong.

“I have faced threats before; this is nothing new to me,” he said, referring to the outrage sparked by his comment. “We live in a democracy where freedom of speech is protected.

I have full faith in the law and the justice system. My affection for the people of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Kerala is genuine and longstanding. Only those with vested interests or hidden agendas would doubt that,” he added.

Haasan further clarified, “I am not someone who apologises just for the sake of appeasing. If I truly make a mistake, I will be the first to say sorry. But if I stand by what I said and believe it to be true, then I see no reason to apologise.”

His comments did little to calm tensions in Karnataka, where several pro-Kannada groups and political leaders expressed outrage.

Protests erupted in multiple cities across the state, including Belagavi, Mysuru, Hubballi, and Bengaluru. In Belagavi, demonstrators gathered near the INOX cinema hall to voice their anger, chanting slogans against Haasan and demanding an immediate public apology.

These demonstrations were led by the Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (KRV), a prominent Kannada language advocacy organization.

The protests were not limited to street demonstrations. The faction of Karnataka Rakshana Vedike led by Praveen Shetty went a step further by filing an official complaint against Haasan at the RT Nagar police station in Bengaluru.

The group also issued a stern warning, threatening to obstruct the screening of Thug Life in Karnataka unless the actor withdrew his controversial statement and offered a formal apology to the people of the state.

The Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC), which plays a crucial role in the state’s film distribution and exhibition industry, has taken serious note of the controversy.

According to reports by the news agency ANI, the KFCC has already announced a ban on the theatrical release of Thug Life in Karnataka, citing Haasan’s remarks as the reason.

The chamber stated that the statement has hurt the sentiments of Kannada-speaking people and demanded a resolution to the issue before the film can be released.

Political leaders in Karnataka have also jumped into the fray, criticizing Haasan for his remarks. Karnataka BJP state president BY Vijayendra was vocal in his condemnation, accusing Haasan of being disrespectful and arrogant. “Glorifying one’s mother tongue at the cost of disrespecting another language reflects poor cultural sensitivity.”

Vijayendra said. “Despite having acted in multiple Indian languages, Kamal Haasan’s attempt to elevate Tamil in such a way, particularly in the presence of Kannada superstar Shivaraj Kuma, shows his arrogance and immaturity.”

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah also weighed in on the matter. On Wednesday, he dismissed Haasan’s claim about the origin of Kannada, suggesting the actor was misinformed.

“Kannada is one of the oldest and richest languages in the country. It boasts a rich and storied literary heritage. Poor Kamal Haasan, he doesn’t know the long-standing history of Kannada,” the Chief Minister remarked.

In response to these political and public reactions, Haasan offered a broader reflection on the linguistic diversity of South India. Speaking in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, he pointed to Tamil Nadu’s history of electing chief ministers from varied linguistic backgrounds as a testament to the state’s inclusivity.

He specifically mentioned the late J. Jayalalithaa, a former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu who was originally from the Mandya district in Karnataka. “Tamil Nadu has always celebrated diversity,” he said, “We have had leaders from different regions and linguistic roots. Unfortunately, some are trying to use language to divide people.”

The controversy continues to escalate, with cultural pride, political identity, and the sensitive nature of language politics at its core. As the situation unfolds, all eyes are on whether Kamal Haasan will further clarify his position, issue a retraction, or continue to stand firm in the face of mounting pressure