Kamal Haasan at an event in Thiruvananthapuram on May 28, 2025.
| Photo Credit: PTI
Veteran star Kamal Haasan has responded to the controversy around his statement on the Kannada language. The actor, while promoting his upcoming movie Thug Life, had said that “Tamil gave birth to Kannada.” Kamal Haasan’s remark, made at the audio launch of the Mani Ratnam-directorial in Chennai, drew criticism from the people of Karnataka.
“Love will never apologize” Kamal Haasan about Kannada-Tamil outrage
Actor and politician Kamal Haasan spoke about his recent statement claiming that the Kannada language “was born out of Tamil.” The remark, made during the audio launch of his upcoming film Thug Life in Chennai, has drawn fierce backlash in Karnataka, particularly from the BJP and pro-Kannada groups who demanded an immediate and unconditional apology.
| Video Credit:
The Hindu
Pro-Kannada groups demanded an apology from Kamal Haasan even as they held protests in Bengaluru and Belagavi against the actor for hurting the Kannada sentiments. Angry fans on social media threatened to boycott the movie, set to release on June 05, 2025. Addressing the row, Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah told reporters that “Kannada language has a very long history…he (Kamal Haasan) doesn’t know.”
The BJP too joined the backlash, demanding an apology from the star. Karnataka BJP president B.Y. Vijayendra condemned Kamal Haasan’s remarks as “uncultured” and “insulting” to Kannada and its 6.5 crore speakers
Kamal Haasan, addressing the media in Thiruvananthapuram as part of the film’s promotions, said people “have confused the issue.” “My statement was said out of love,” said the National Award-winning actor.
He added that politicians “are not qualified to talk about it” (history of languages). “They don’t have the education to talk about it, including me. Let’s leave the discussions to historians, language experts, and archeologists. People will take care of Thug Life and Kamal Haasan,” he said.
ALSO READ:Actor Kamal Haasan is not aware of Kannada’s ancient history: CM Siddaramaiah
Speaking about his controversial statement, Kamal Haasan said, “It was a statement of love to Mr Shivanna (Kannada star Shivarajkumar). His father (Dr Rajkumar) is like my father. We are a family, and so are the other languages.
“If you look at it from the Northern point of view, what they say is right. If you look at it from Thenkumari, then what I say is right. There is a third angle to it, that’s where the language experts come into play. They will say both the parties are right but ‘they must decide where they want to belong, with their family or with the languages that came from the North’. It’s up to the people. It’s a democratic country.”
The Nayakan actor called Tamil Nadu an open state. “A Menon, a Reddy and a Kannadiga Iyengar hailing from Mandya have become chief ministers in Tamil Nadu. When there was a problem in Chennai, which came from that chief minister who hailed from Karnataka, it was Karnataka who gave me support. The Kannadigas said ‘come, we will give you a house. Don’t go anywhere’.”
He concluded his response by saying, “this is not an answer. It’s an explanation. Love will never apologise.” Thug Life also stars Trisha, Silambarasan TR, Ashok Selvan and Joju George. The movie is produced by Kamal Haasan’s Raaj Kamal Films International and Mani Ratnam’s Madras Talkies.
Published – May 28, 2025 07:33 pm IST
