Kamal Haasan's "Kannada was born out of Tamil" remark ignites row, KFCC to decide on Thug Life's Kannada release
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Politician-actor Kamal Haasan has stirred a significant political and cultural controversy in Karnataka with his recent assertion that the Kannada language "was born out of Tamil". Made at the recent audio launch event of his upcoming film , the assertion has triggered a row in Karnataka, prompting angry responses particularly from pro-Kannada organisations and the BJP, who are asking for an unequivocal apology from the actor.
While on stage alongside Shivarajkumar, Haasan began his speech with the Tamil phrase "Uyire Urave Tamizhe" ("My life, and my family, is in Tamil language") and later made the 'contentious' statement: "Your language (Kannada) was born out of Tamil, so you too are included." What may have been intended as a way of expressing cultural solidarity has been widely interpreted as linguistic superiority and disrespect to the state's cultural heritage.
The fallout has been swift and severe. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah commented, "Perhaps Kamal Haasan does not know the history of the state." BJP president BY Vijayendra called Haasan’s remarks "uncultured" and "insulting" to the Kannada language and the millions of people who speak it. On X, Vijayendra stated, "It is the height of arrogance that Kamal Haasan, who has acted in many Indian languages including Kannada, has insulted Kannada in the name of glorifying Tamil." He further challenged Haasan’s credibility on linguistic origins, emphasising, "He is not a historian."
Vijayendra also alleged that Haasan has a pattern of disrespecting cultural and religious sentiments. "Kamal Haasan, who is supposed to bring harmony to South India, has been continuously insulting Hinduism and hurting religious sentiments for the past few years. Now, he has insulted Kannada by hurting the self-respect of 6.5 crore Kannadigas," he wrote.
Pro-Kannada organisations have jumped on the anti-Kamal Haasan bandwagon as well. Karnataka Rakshana Vedike activists ripped down posters in Bengaluru and threatened a ban on the film throughout the state. Praveen Shetty, president of the outfit, issued a stern warning: "You want to do business in Karnataka and show your movies, stop insulting Kannada and Kannadigas."
On the other hand, the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce is scheduled to meet tomorrow to deliberate on the matter and decide whether to permit 's June 05 release in Kannada.
