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The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday rapped actor and MNM chief Kamal Haasan for his controversial remarks that “Kannada was born out of Tamil”. While hearing a petition seeking a direction to authorities not to take any measures to restrain the actor's film from releasing, the court said, “You may be Kamal Haasan or anybody, you cannot hurt the sentiments of the masses.”
“There is no apology in it. You may be Kamal Haasan or anybody, you cannot hurt the sentiments of the masses. The division of this country is on linguistic lines. A public figure cannot make such statements. What has happened because of it is unrest, disharmony. People of Karnataka only asked for an apology. Now you come here seeking protection,” the court said, according to a LiveLaw report.
“On what basis have you made the statement, are you a historian, linguist. On what basis did you speak?” the court added.
Haasan's remark that “Kannada was born out of Tamil” made at the audio release of his film ‘Thug Life’ in Chennai in the last week of May, stoked a controversy, triggering protests in the neighbouring state.
With 'Thug Life' scheduled to hit the cinemas on June 5, Kamal Haasan, who declined to tender an apology for "uttering the truth", had moved the Karnataka High Court seeking a direction for the film release.
Why did Haasan petition Karnataka HC
Anticipating disruption in the release of his upcoming movie, Haasan on Monday approached the Karnataka High Court seeking urgent intervention for the smooth release of the film and adequate security at theatres planning to show it. The movie is scheduled for release on June 5.
Haasan’s move follows the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) announcement of a boycott of the film unless the actor publicly apologises for his recent remark that "Kannada language originated from Tamil".
According to a PTI report, in a writ petition filed by Haasan’s production house Raaj Kamal Films International, the actor requested the high court to restrain any individual, group, or authority—including the KFCC and state officials—from obstructing the screening of the film in Karnataka. The petition also sought police protection for the film’s cast, crew, theatre owners, and audiences, citing potential threats of disruption.
Meanwhile, speaking to PTI, KFCC president M Narasimhalu reiterated the Chamber’s stand. "Let Kamal Haasan go to court. We have not done anything illegal. But we will not allow the screening of ‘Thug Life’ in Karnataka unless he apologises," Narasimhalu said.
What Haasan's petition said
The producers of the movie maintained that Haasan’s remarks were taken out of context and that they were intended to express cultural harmony between the people of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. The statement, the petition said, was made during a cordial interaction with Kannada superstar Shiva Rajkumar, who also reportedly defended Haasan's intent.
"The backlash has been unwarranted and based on a deliberate misinterpretation," the petition added, asserting that the film’s release should not be held hostage to a misreading of the actor's words, reported PTI.
There were also reports that the South Indian Film Chamber of Commerce has reached out to Haasan in an attempt to mediate the situation.
Thug Life, a high-profile film directed by the acclaimed Mani Ratnam, marks his second collaboration with Kamal Haasan after the cult classic Nayakan. The film features a star-studded cast including Trisha Krishnan and Silambarasan T R, with music composed by Oscar-winner AR Rahman. The estimated production budget is around ₹300 crore.
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