"#IStandWithKamalHaasan" trends as fans back actor amid 'Thug Life' Karnataka release row
has made the difficult choice not to release his highly anticipated pan-Indian gangster drama, 'Thug Life', in Karnataka on June 5. This decision follows a controversy over a statement he made regarding the origins of the Kannada language, which has led to protests and demands for an apology.
Tired of too many ads? go ad free now
In a letter to the Kannada Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC), Kamal Haasan explained his stance, stating that apologies are reserved for mistakes, not misunderstandings, and therefore he would not retract his comments.
The decision to forego the Karnataka release is expected to cost 'Thug Life' and its makers, including Kamal Haasan and director
, an estimated Rs 12 to 15 crore as per a OneIndia report. Despite this financial setback, Kamal Haasan has found considerable support from fans and movie enthusiasts, with the hashtag "#IStandWithKamalHaasan" trending widely on social media.
Supporters argue that Kamal Haasan's statement was rooted in linguistic history and not intended as an insult to Kannada. Many shared that Tamil is considered one of the oldest living languages in the world and that languages like Kannada have historical and linguistic ties to Tamil. Some users shared excerpts from Tamil textbooks that support this view, that Kamal Haasan's comments were based on factual information.
One X user wrote, "What @ikamalhaasan said is 100% RIGHT. Tamil is the oldest living language in the world. Languages like Kannada & others have roots linked to Tamil — that's linguistic history, not offense. Truth doesn't need an apology. History doesn't need permission."
Another user's tweet reads, "Respecting Kannada sentiments is important, but Tamil's historical influence on Kannada is a fact, not an insult.
Tired of too many ads? go ad free now
Kamal Haasan's intent was misunderstood; his refusal to apologize is principled, not arrogant. Let's foster dialogue, not division. #ThugLife #IstandWithKamalHaasan."
While acknowledging the importance of respecting Kannada sentiments, many fans and movie lovers have rallied behind Kamal Haasan, praising his integrity and commitment to his beliefs.
Despite the absence of a Karnataka release, 'Thug Life' is still expected to have a strong opening this weekend. The film, directed by Mani Ratnam also stars Silambarasan TR,
, Abhirami, Sanya Malhotra, and others.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hans India
18 minutes ago
- Hans India
PM Modi launches Rs 1 lakh crore Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana, to create 3.5 crore jobs
New Delhi: In a significant Independence Day address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled the Rs one lakh crore Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana, a nationwide employment initiative aimed at transforming job opportunities for India's youth. 'There is big news for the youth of the country,' PM Modi declared from the Red Fort. 'On this day, we are starting and implementing a scheme of Rs 1 lakh crore for the youth of my country,' he said. The scheme, effective from August 15, is designed to incentivise both first-time employees and private sector employers. Under the initiative, any young person securing their first job in the private sector will receive Rs 15,000 directly from the government. 'The son or daughter who gets their first job will be given Rs 15,000 by the government,' PM Modi announced, emphasising the scheme's role in easing the transition into formal employment. To further stimulate job creation, companies that generate sustained employment will be rewarded with financial incentives. Employers hiring additional staff will be eligible for up to Rs 3,000 per month per new employee, with extended benefits for the manufacturing sector. The scheme is expected to create approximately 3.5 crore new jobs over the next two years, with 1.92 crore beneficiaries entering the workforce for the first time. The Ministry of Labour & Employment, in collaboration with the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO), will oversee implementation. PM Modi framed the initiative as a cornerstone of the Viksit Bharat mission, aimed at building a developed and inclusive India by 2047. 'This is my gift to the youth -- a double Diwali celebration,' he said, promising economic empowerment and national progress. With its dual focus on youth and enterprise, the Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana marks one of the most ambitious employment-linked reforms in recent years. As registration opens, millions of young Indians and businesses are expected to benefit from this transformative push toward job-led development.
Hans India
18 minutes ago
- Hans India
Pakistan's sleep is still disturbed; the scale of destruction was immense: PM Modi on Op Sindoor
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Friday that Operation Sindoor has disturbed Pakistan's sleep, and the devastation there was so massive that new revelations are emerging every day. He said this during his address from the ramparts of the Red Fort on Friday, adding that India will no longer tolerate nuclear blackmail and if the enemy dares to commit any more misadventure, the Indian Armed Forces will give them a befitting reply. 'India will no longer tolerate nuclear blackmail. If the enemy dares to commit any more misadventure, the Indian Armed Forces will give them a befitting reply. India has decided that blood and water will not flow together,' he said. He said that this August 15 has a special significance. 'Today, I got the opportunity to salute the brave soldiers of Operation Sindoor from the ramparts of the Red Fort. Our brave, valiant soldiers have given the enemies a punishment beyond their imagination.' PM Modi said that the Armed Forces were given a free hand, and they produced remarkable results. 'We gave our Armed Forces a free hand, allowing them to strategise, set the target, and decide the timing. Our forces set a precedent unseen for many decades. They attacked hundreds of kilometres into enemy territory and turned terrorist headquarters to dust," he said. 'Pakistan's sleep is still disturbed. The devastation in Pakistan has been so massive that new revelations are emerging every day, and new information is coming to light,' he said. 'I am proud that today, I got the opportunity to salute the brave soldiers of Operation Sindoor from the Red Fort. Our brave soldiers gave the enemies a fitting reply, beyond their imagination. Every Indian was angered by the horrors perpetrated by terrorists in Pahalgam. Operation Sindoor is the expression of that very anger,' the PM said. PM Modi said that India has been bearing the pain of terrorism for many decades. 'We have now set a new normal. Terrorists and those who shelter them will not be seen separately. They are an equal danger to humanity with no difference,' the PM said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi hoisted the national flag and addressed the nation from the ramparts of the iconic Red Fort in the national capital. He said this great festival of freedom is a festival of 140 crore resolutions. 'This festival of freedom is a moment of pride in collective achievements. Every heart is filled with enthusiasm. The nation is continuously strengthening the spirit of unity, he said in his much-awaited address.
Time of India
18 minutes ago
- Time of India
No pause on Russian oil imports, India continues imports based on economic rationale
India has not halted oil purchases from Russia in response to the US President's tariff threat and continues to buy based solely on economic considerations, said AS Sahney, Chairman of Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), the country's largest oil firm. Purchase volumes may fluctuate monthly based on the discounts offered on Russian crude grades like Urals. While discounts had previously reached as high as $ 40 per barrel, they have narrowed to just $ 1.5 late last month, resulting in reduced offtake. Discounts have since widened to about $ 2.70. However, India's intent to continue buying Russian oil remains unchanged. India became the largest customer of Russian oil from 2022, after western countries shunned Russian oil and imposed sanctions on Moscow for its invasion of Ukraine. Sahney said refiners like IOC buy crude oil from Russia purely on economic consideration and have not been asked to cut or boost purchase in response to US tariffs, he said. "There is no pause," he said. Russian oil has continued to flow to Indian refiners in July as well as this month. "We continue to buy, purely based on economic considerations, that is to say if the pricing and characteristics of the crude make sense in our scheme of processing, we buy," he told reporters here. "No special effort is being made to either increase or decrease (the import volumes). We are buying crude as per economic considerations," he said. Imports from Russia made up for 22-23 per cent of all the crude oil that IOC refineries processed in the April-June period. US President Donald Trump last week announced an additional 25 per cent tariff on US imports from India -- raising the overall duty to 50 per cent -- as a penalty for the country's continued imports of Russian oil. Since the steep tariffs are likely to hit the $ 40 billion of non-exempt exports that India does to the US, there has been chatter around stopping or curtailing oil imports from Russia. "There are no sanctions on Russian crude," he said. "India has not done anything that violates any sanctions". Separately, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL) Director (Finance) Vetsa Ramakrishna Gupta on an investor call said the discounts have narrowed to $ 1.5 per barrel, and led to lower imports last month. In the first quarter, Russian oil made up 34 per cent of BPCL's crude intake and the company hopes to return to a 30-35 per cent ratio as long as there are no sanctions, he said. Before February 2022, Russian crude oil accounted for less than 1 per cent of India's total oil imports. However, after Moscow's invasion of Ukraine, western nations shunned Russian energy, leading to Russian crude being available at discounted rates compared to global benchmarks. Seizing the economic opportunity, India ramped up its purchases, significantly increasing its reliance on Russian oil to meet domestic energy needs. Russian crude oil now meets 30 per cent of the requirement. Sahney said at no time was import of crude oil from Russia sanctioned and so India continued to purchase keeping in mind economic considerations. "Such purchases will continue unless sanctions are imposed," he said. "We have not got any instruction (from the government) to either increase or decrease purchase. We are doing business as usual." About talk of refiners being asked to increase purchases from the US in a bid to placate Trump, IOC Chairman said, "Neither are we being told to buy more nor are we told to buy less from US or any other destination. Economic considerations dictate our actions."
