Kamal Haasan’s language remark sparks outrage in Karnataka

Veteran actor Kamal Haasan has found himself at the center of a linguistic controversy following remarks made during the audio launch of his upcoming film Thug Life in Chennai. His statement that “Kannada language was born out of Tamil” has triggered sharp reactions from pro-Kannada groups in Karnataka.

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During the event, Haasan began his speech with the phrase “Uyire Urave Tamizhe”, translating to “my life and my family is Tamil.” While praising fellow actor Shivarajkumar as “family living in another state,” Haasan added, “Your language (Kannada) was born out of Tamil. So you are included in that line.”

This comment has not gone down well in Karnataka, where linguistic pride runs deep. Organizations like the Kannada Rakshana Vedike strongly condemned Haasan’s statement, calling it historically inaccurate and culturally insensitive. They demanded an immediate retraction and warned of consequences if such remarks persisted.

In Bengaluru, pro-Kannada activists reacted by tearing down promotional banners of Thug Life and issuing stern warnings to the actor. Several groups have also demanded a public apology, accusing Haasan of stoking linguistic tensions.

The controversy has reignited the long-standing debate over the origins of South Indian languages and underscores the sensitivity surrounding linguistic identity in the region.