Karnataka HC Slams Kamal Haasan Over Language Remark

The Karnataka High Court has strongly criticized actor Kamal Haasan for claiming that Kannada "was born out of Tamil," calling the statement offensive to Kannadigas. The remark, made during a promotional event in Chennai for his upcoming film Thug Life, sparked political backlash and calls for a statewide ban on the movie unless Haasan apologizes.

Justice M Nagaprasanna questioned Haasan's credentials, asking, "Are you a historian or a linguist?" The judge emphasized that language is deeply tied to cultural identity, stating, “No citizen has the right to hurt sentiments. Language is a sentiment attached to a people.”

The Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) and several Kannada organizations have refused to allow the film’s screening unless Haasan retracts his statement. KFCC president M Narasimhalu said the issue has escalated beyond cinema, adding, “Thug Life won’t run in Karnataka without an apology.”

Despite growing demands, Haasan has refused to apologize, asserting, “This is a democracy. I believe in law and justice. My love for Karnataka is genuine.” His production house, Raajkamal Films International, argued his comments were misquoted and intended to convey cultural harmony.

The court, however, maintained that Haasan's remark undermined public sentiment and caused disharmony. “No language is born out of another,” the judge said, hinting that an apology could resolve the standoff.

The controversy underlines how linguistic pride remains a sensitive issue in Karnataka. The court's observations suggest that Haasan's refusal to apologize may hinder the film’s release. The case highlights the importance of public figures treading carefully on culturally sensitive topics, especially in a multilingual society like India.