Padmashri kamal haasan, one of India's most revered actors and filmmakers, is currently engaged in the nationwide promotion of his upcoming film Thug Life, directed by legendary filmmaker Mani Ratnam. With the film aiming for a pan-Indian release, the promotional campaign is being conducted in multiple languages to reach audiences across different regions. At a recent promotional event in chennai, a statement made by kamal haasan while addressing kannada actor shiva Rajkumar stirred controversy. Haasan remarked, "My life and my family is tamil language. Your language (Kannada) was born out of Tamil." While his intent may have been to emphasize his deep-rooted connection to tamil culture, the remark was perceived by many as belittling the kannada language, leading to significant backlash.

The comment triggered sharp responses from political and cultural leaders in Karnataka. bjp state president Vijayendra Yediyurappa strongly condemned Kamal Haasan’s statement, calling it “uncultured” and accusing him of insulting kannada, a language with a rich and ancient literary tradition. Furthermore, various pro-Kannada organizations expressed outrage over the statement, with karnataka Rakshana Vedike leader Praveen Shetty warning of a potential boycott of Haasan’s films in the state. The threat of banning Thug Life in karnataka gained traction as regional sentiment surged, sparking debates on linguistic pride and the sensitivity needed when discussing India’s diverse cultural and linguistic heritage.

Thug Life, set for a global release on june 5th, features an ensemble cast that includes Trisha, Simbu, Abhirami, aishwarya Lekshmi, ashok Selvan, Sanya Malhotra, Joju George, Nassar, and ali fazal in key roles. The film is a collaborative production by Raaj Kamal Films International, madras Talkies, and red Giant Movies, marking yet another high-profile collaboration between kamal haasan and Mani Ratnam. Despite the controversy, the team remains focused on the film’s release and success. However, this incident highlights the fine line public figures must tread when speaking about regional identities, especially in a multilingual nation like india where language is deeply intertwined with cultural pride.
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G GOWTHAM

28/05/2025 12:32 PM