An issue has erupted in Karnataka following remarks by actor-politician Kamal Haasan that “Kannada was born out of Tamil.” Clarifying his remarks, he mentioned that his feedback on Kannada had been mentioned out of affection and that “love by no means apologises”.
The actor-politician’s response, which he describes as an “clarification” and never an “reply,” got here hours after his assertion drew sharp reactions from Kannada teams and political leaders, together with Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW VIDEO
“I believe what I mentioned was mentioned with a number of love. Historians have taught me the language’s historical past…I didn’t imply something,” Haasan mentioned.
He additionally mentioned Tamil Nadu is a “uncommon state” which has been open to anybody. “And, let me inform you, Tamil Nadu is a spot which has been open. I don’t say there isn’t any different state like this. However a really uncommon state the place a Menon (MG Ramachandran) has been our Chief Minister…a Reddy (Omandur Ramasamy Reddiyar) has been our Chief Minister, a Tamilian (M Karunanidhi) has been our Chief Minister after which a Kannadiga Iyengar has been our CM from Mandya,” information company PTI quoted the star as saying.
Siddaramaiah criticised the actor’s feedback, made in the course of the audio launch of his movie Thug Life in Chennai. “Kannada has an extended and well-documented historical past. Poor Kamal Haasan. He’s merely unaware of it,” the Karnataka CM instructed reporters on Wednesday.
What Haasan mentioned
Haasan, sharing the stage with Kannada actor Shivarajkumar, mentioned, “Your language was born out of Tamil. So, you’re included in that line.” What appeared like an try at fostering cultural unity shortly sparked outrage throughout Karnataka. A number of pro-Kannada organisations, together with the Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (KRV), condemned the assertion and launched protests in cities like Bengaluru, Mysuru, Belagavi, and Hubballi. Demonstrators burned Haasan’s posters and raised slogans demanding an apology.
KRV chief Praveen Shetty warned Haasan in opposition to belittling Kannada and threatened to hinder the screening of Thug Life if he didn’t apologise. “You need to present your films right here, however insult us? Not acceptable,” he mentioned.
Story continues beneath this advert
What politicians mentioned
Karnataka BJP president B Y Vijayendra accused Haasan of “disrespecting Kannada to glorify his personal mom tongue” and demanded an unconditional apology. “Artists ought to embody the tradition of respecting all languages,” he posted on social media.
ಮಾತೃಭಾಷೆಯನ್ನು ಪ್ರೀತಿಸಬೇಕು, ಆದರೆ ಅದರ ಹೆಸರಿನಲ್ಲಿ ದುರಭಿಮಾನ ಮೆರೆಯುವುದು ಸಂಸ್ಕೃತಿ ಹೀನ ನಡವಳಿಕೆಯಾಗುತ್ತದೆ. ಅದರಲ್ಲೂ ಕಲಾವಿದರಿಗೆ ಪ್ರತಿಯೊಂದು ಭಾಷೆಯನ್ನೂ ಗೌರವಿಸುವ ಸಂಸ್ಕಾರ ಇರಬೇಕು. ಕನ್ನಡವೂ ಸೇರಿದಂತೆ ಅನೇಕ ಭಾರತೀಯ ಭಾಷೆಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ನಟಿಸಿರುವ ನಟ @ikamalhaasan ತಮ್ಮ ತಮಿಳು ಭಾಷೆಯನ್ನು ವೈಭವಿಕರಿಸುವ ಮತ್ತಿನಲ್ಲಿ ನಟ… pic.twitter.com/PrfKX099lZ
— Vijayendra Yediyurappa (@BYVijayendra) May 27, 2025
A number of Kannada organisations took to the streets in cities like Bengaluru, Belagavi, Hubballi, and Mysuru, expressing outrage and demanding an apology.
The Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (KRV) issued a stern warning to Haasan. “He should apologise unconditionally for insulting our language. Till then, we won’t permit his movies to be screened in Karnataka,” mentioned KRV chief T A Narayana Gowda.
“This isn’t nearly one careless comment. It’s about respecting Kannada’s identification and the feelings of Kannadigas. Haasan ought to appropriate his assertion and chorus from making additional feedback about Kannada,” Gowda added.
Kannada and Tradition Minister Shivaraja Tangadagi demanded Haasan apologise. “If he doesn’t apologise, we’ll write to the Kannada Movie Chambers to ban his new film in Karnataka. There isn’t any compromise when it’s about state or language,” he added.
Story continues beneath this advert
Each Kannada and Tamil are distinct branches of the Dravidian language household, tracing their roots again to the proto-Dravidian language. Students say that whereas the 2 languages share ancestral hyperlinks, they developed independently over centuries with wealthy literary traditions.
The controversy comes simply as Hassan’s social gathering, the Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM), has simply secured a Rajya Sabha seat as a part of its alliance with the ruling DMK in Tamil Nadu.
Responding to the controversy on Wednesday, Kamal Haasan to News18 mentioned that he by no means supposed to offend anybody and stood by his phrases.
Stating that he wouldn’t apologise for one thing that was mentioned out of affection, Haasan mentioned, “My assertion was misinterpreted. What I mentioned was mentioned out of affection, with a number of historians instructing me language historical past. Politicians aren’t certified on speaking about language issues, and that features me.”
Story continues beneath this advert
News18 reported that Haasan additionally recalled the help he had acquired from Karnataka throughout a troublesome time in Chennai. “Karnataka stood by me after I confronted issues in Chennai,” he mentioned.
(With inputs from Kiran Parashar and PTI)