Tamil Nadu actor and politician Kamal Haasan has stirred a linguistic and political controversy in Karnataka following his remark that “Kannada was born out of Tamil.” The comment, made during a Chennai event ahead of the release of his upcoming film Thug Life, has sparked widespread outrage among pro-Kannada groups and the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC), which has demanded a public apology as a condition for the film’s release in the state.
In response to the backlash, Haasan approached the Karnataka High Court, seeking directions to ensure an unobstructed release of Thug Life in Karnataka. Represented by senior advocate Dhyan Chinnappa, Haasan firmly refused to apologise during the hearing. The court acknowledged his constitutional right to free speech but cautioned that such freedom should not be used to offend public sentiment. “You cannot unscramble a scrambled egg,” the bench remarked, urging Haasan to consider an apology to defuse tensions.
The court also highlighted the economic implications, pointing out that significant revenue could be generated from the Kannada-speaking audience. It suggested that disrespecting their sentiments might alienate a large section of potential viewers.
KFCC President M. Narasimhulu reiterated the organisation's stance, asserting that Thug Life would not be allowed to release in Karnataka without an apology. Haasan, who is poised to become a Rajya Sabha MP with DMK support, has remained steadfast, stating, “I will apologise only if I believe I am wrong.” He expressed respect for the Kannada language but declined to retract his statement.