Kamal Hassan Kannada row: Cong MLA calls him 'arrogant', urges him to use 'Tevara' in his name

Congress MLA Ganiga Ravi stirred controversy on Friday with sharp criticism directed at actor-politician Kamal Haasan, accusing him of arrogance and disrespect towards Kannada. Reacting to recent comments made by Haasan, Ravi said, "He should hold his tongue before speaking. His statements reflect sheer arrogance."

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Taking a dig at Haasan’s name, Ravi added, "His very name contains the Kannada word ‘Kamal’. If he’s so committed to Tamil identity, he should remove it and rename himself ‘Thevar Haasan’ instead." The remarks were seen as a response to Haasan’s linguistic stance in a recent political or media appearance.

Ravi didn’t stop there. He also expressed displeasure with Kannada superstar Shivarajkumar, accusing him of defending Kamal Haasan. "You are an actor who earns your living from Kannada cinema. Don’t defend someone who disrespects our language," he said, adding that actors benefiting from Karnataka’s support should stand up for Kannada pride.

Additionally, actress-turned-politician Ramya also came under fire from Ravi, although specific details of her statements were not mentioned.

The fiery remarks have sparked a fresh debate over linguistic pride and regional identity, especially in the politically sensitive atmosphere of Karnataka. With leading figures from cinema and politics involved, the issue has quickly gained traction across social media and regional discourse.