30 May,2025 08:43 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
In Pic: Kamal Hasaan
Kamal Haasan has found himself in hot water, with his upcoming film Thug Life facing ban cries after his controversial comments on the Kannada language. The Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) has demanded an apology from Haasan for his derogatory remarks and warned him that if he fails to do so by May 30, they will not allow Thug Life to hit theatres in the state.
KFCC president M Narasimhalu said, "Many Kannada groups have demanded a ban on his movie. So, we met and discussed the matter, and we've decided that he should apologise. We agree that what he did was wrong, and we are trying to meet and talk to him."
Meanwhile, the former president of the film body added, "We have no sympathy for Kamal Haasan. If he does not issue a public apology today or tomorrow, we will support Kannada activists and protest fiercely. Under no circumstances will we allow the film's release unless he apologises publicly."
"Kannada language was born from Tamil language," said the actor during an event in Chennai to promote his movie Thug Life. Referring to the presence of Kannada actor Shivarajkumar at the same event, Haasan said, "This is my family in that place. That's why he (Shivarajkumar) has come here. That's why I began my speech by saying, life, family and Tamil. Your language (Kannada) was born out of Tamil, so you too are included (part of it)."
Earlier in the day, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah slammed Kamal Haasan following his reported remark, "Kannada is born out of Tamil," and said that he was unaware of the language's "long-standing" history.
"What I said was out of love, and a lot of historians have taught me language history. I didn't mean anything," Haasan said. Haasan pointed out that leaders from various linguistic and regional backgrounds have served as the state's Chief Ministers. "Politicians are not qualified to talk about language. They don't have the qualifications to talk about it, including me. Let us leave all these very in-depth discussions to historians, archaeologists and language experts," he added.
