Kamal-Haasan-Refuses-to-Apologise-for-Kannada-Remark,-Sparks-Political-FirestormKamal Haasan says he won’t apologise for his Kannada comment unless proven wrong

 

Actor-turned-politician Kamal Hassan has declined to apologize for a comment he made in an interview recently. He stated that ‘Kannada is born out of Tamil’. This stirred controversy throughout Karnataka. Makkal Needhi Maiyam (MNM) chief and the DMK’s Rajya Sabha nominee refused to back down from what he said and defended it.

 He has said that he would apologize only if he made a mistake. “If I am not mistaken, I will not apologize,” he said to the press, asserting that his recent statements were made out of love and not disrespect.

 

Remarks Spark Outrage in Karnataka

 

Haasan’s remark, made at an event promoting his forthcoming movie Thig Life in Chennai, elicited outrage from pro-Kannada groups and political parties. The remark, meant to downplay the importance of Kannada, prompted extensive protests in Belagavi, Bengaluru, Mysuru, and Hubballi. 

Karnataka Rakshana Vedike members also set his posters on fire and filed a police complaint seeking an apology. Some threatened to stop the screening of Thug Life in the state as well.

 

Political Reactions and Cultural Friction

 

Haasan was rebuked by Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who said, “Kannada has a rich tradition. Poor Kamal Haasan is not aware of it.” Similar views were reflected by the ruling Congress, while the BJP condemned Haasan for disrespecting Kannada.

They have asked him to render an apology regarding his remarks. The issue has also led to a film association contemplating banning the movie in Karnataka.

 

Haasan Clarifies: Love Will Never Apologize

 

In his reply, Haasan put stress on the fact that his comments were based on love for all states of South India. Responding in Thiruvananthapuram, he stated, “What I said was out of love. Historians taught me about the evolution of languages.” Adding, “I didn’t intend anything disrespectful.” He also emphasized Tamil Nadu’s inclusive past, mentioning earlier chief ministers who were from various backgrounds, such as MG Ramachandran (a Menon), Omandur Ramasamy Reddiyar (a Reddy), M Karunanidhi (a Tamilian), and J Jayalalithaa (a Kannadiga Iyengar).

 

Let The Experts Decide

 

Appealing for restraint, Haasan stated linguistic issues must be left to historians, archaeologists, and scholars, “There is a third perspective to it, the language experts. This is not an explanation, yet I suspect love doesn’t have to apologize,” he further stated, asserting the issue has been politicized too much by those with vested interests.

 

Thug Life Set for June 5 Release

 

Despite the controversies, Mani Ratnam’s Thug Life is proceeding towards its international release on June 5 as planned. The movie is Haasan’s first movie with Ratnam after Nayakam and has a star-studded cast like Silambaram, Trisha Krishnan, Aishwarya Lekshmi, and Pankaj Tripathi.