South Indian superstar Kamal Haasan has found himself at the center of a storm after making a statement about the Kannada language during an event in Chennai. He was attending the audio launch of his upcoming film Thug Life when he commented that “Kannada was born from Tamil.” The remark did not sit well with people in Karnataka, leading to widespread anger, torn posters, and demands to ban the film.
The Viral Statement
While addressing the audience, Kamal Haasan began his speech with the Tamil phrase “Uire Urave Tamizh,” which means “My life and family are in Tamil.” He then mentioned Kannada actor Shivrajkumar, who was also present at the event, and said:
“This place is like my family, and that’s why Shivrajkumar is here. I started my speech with life, family, and Tamil because your language (Kannada) was born from Tamil. So, you are part of this too.”
This statement sparked controversy as many saw it as disrespectful toward the Kannada language and identity.
Poster Tearing and Protest in Bengaluru
The backlash was swift. In Bengaluru, angry Kannada groups tore down posters of Thug Life and began demanding a ban on the film. The protests are not just limited to the streets—social media users also called for a boycott of Kamal Haasan’s films.
Political Reactions
The issue soon became political. Karnataka BJP President BY Vijayendra slammed Kamal Haasan, calling his comments “arrogant” and “uncivilized.” He said:
“Artists should respect every language. Glorifying Tamil while belittling Kannada is the height of arrogance. Kamal Haasan has also repeatedly hurt Hindu sentiments in recent years.”
He also added that Kamal Haasan should publicly apologize.
Kannada Organizations Threaten Ban
The Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (KRV), a prominent pro-Kannada organization, strongly condemned Haasan’s statement. KRV leader Praveen Shetty released a video saying:
“Kamal Haasan claimed Tamil is superior to Kannada. If he wants to do business in Karnataka, he must stop insulting our language. Otherwise, we are ready to ban his film.”
He warned that if Kamal does not issue a public apology, protests will intensify, possibly including black ink attacks and mass boycotts.
Online Campaigns Gain Momentum
On social media, hashtags calling for a ban on Thug Life are trending across Kannada platforms. Reports suggest that some theater owners are being pressured not to screen the film unless Kamal clarifies his remarks.
What Linguists Say
Interestingly, language experts have stepped in to add some clarity. They explain that both Tamil and Kannada are part of the Dravidian language family and originated from Proto-Dravidian roots. While they are related, both languages have developed independently and have rich, separate histories.
