Raajkamal Films International (in which Kamal Haasan is a director) has filed a petition seeking police protection for release of Thug Life due to opposition from pro-Kannada organisations and Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC),
| Photo Credit: Thamodharan B
Slamming actor Kamal Haasan for ‘speaking insensitively’ about the Kannada language, veteran BJP leader B. S. Yediyurappa said that he must respectfully apologise to Kannada and Kannadigas.
The former Chief Minister said, “Apologising does not make anyone smaller, nor does arrogance make anyone greater.”
Actor-politician Haasan’s recent statement claiming that ‘Kannada was born out of Tamil’ during a promotional event for his upcoming film Thug Life has sparked widespread outrage among pro-Kannada groups and cultural organisations.
Taking to X, Yediyurappa posted: ‘Kannada is truth, Kannada is eternal’ is not just the rallying cry of Kannadigas, but it is also the pledge of Kannadigas towards mother Bhuvaneshwari, the deity of Kannada.
“Many senior linguistic experts have demonstrated that Kannada did not originate from any specific language. It is deeply regrettable and condemnable that artist Kamal Haasan, who is neither a historian nor a linguistic expert, has spoken insensitively about the Kannada language,” he added.
“His behaviour, which unnecessarily disrupts peace, harmony, and unity, is not right. In the fervour of expressing his opinion, he has hurt the sentiments of crores of Kannadigas, and he must respectfully apologise to Kannada and Kannadigas. Apologising does not make anyone smaller, nor does arrogance make anyone greater!” he said.
Actor Kamal Haasan had declined to apologise, saying he believes in law and justice, and his love for Karnataka is genuine.
Raajkamal Films International, Chennai, the producers of Kamal Haasan-starrer Thug Life, filed a petition before the Karnataka High Court on June 2, requesting protection to ensure the smooth release of the film in the State.
The move came in response to the recent announcement of the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) that it would not permit screening of the film in Karnataka unless Kamal Haasan issues a public apology for his comment suggesting that ‘Kannada evolved from Tamil’.
The film is scheduled to hit theatres on June 5.
Published – June 03, 2025 04:08 pm IST