‘Will Give My Life for Kannada': Actor Shivarajkumar on Kamal Haasan's language controversy
As controversy brews over actor Kamal Haasan's recent remarks about the Kannada language, Kannada superstar Shiva Rajkumar has strongly reiterated his deep-rooted commitment to his mother tongue.
Also Read - Bengaluru's midnight gridlock: ORR choked near Marathahalli due to ongoing metro work. Video
Speaking to reporters, Shiva Rajkumar declared, 'Kannada is my first option, without a doubt. All languages are important, but Kannada comes first for me. I can give my life for Kannada. When there's an issue involving Karnataka, I'm always the first to stand up.'
Shiva Rajkumar's remarks come in the wake of a storm triggered by Kamal Haasan's alleged comment at a promotional event in Chennai for his upcoming film Thug Life, where he said, 'Kannada is born out of Tamil.' The statement drew sharp criticism across Karnataka, with language activists and cinephiles condemning Haasan for what they saw as an inaccurate and offensive remark.
The backlash extended to Shiva Rajkumar as well, after his initial response defending Haasan drew criticism from pro-Kannada groups. He had earlier expressed admiration for the veteran Tamil actor, saying, 'Kamal Sir has always spoken highly of Kannada and Bengaluru. He's always shown affection for our city. I've been his fan for years — he's more than just a superstar to me, he's an inspiration. While my father is family, Kamal Sir is someone I deeply admire, just like anyone might have a favourite actor.'
However, the defence did not sit well with some activists, who questioned Shiva Rajkumar's stance. In response, the actor has now made it clear that while he respects all languages and personalities, Kannada holds a place above all else in his heart.
Also Read - Bengaluru woman alleges gold, diamond theft from SBI locker, police book bank officials: Report
Meanwhile, Kamal Haasan has refused to issue a public apology. Addressing the media, he said, 'This is a democratic country. I will not apologise if I believe I've done nothing wrong. I believe in law and justice.'
In response to the controversy, the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) has taken a firm stand. On Saturday, KFCC member and former president Sa Ra Govindu announced that Haasan's film Thug Life would not be allowed to release in Karnataka until a formal apology is made.
'We support the Kannada organisations demanding an apology from Kamal Haasan. Until he issues one, the film will not be released in the state,' Govindu said, speaking to reporters in Bengaluru.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
India.com
40 minutes ago
- India.com
Meet actor who worked with Kamal Haasan, Rajinikanth, romanced Aishwarya Rai, Tabu, lost all his money, became a taxi driver, mechanic, cleaned toilets, mopped floors for survival, he is…
The entertainment industry is full of talent, and none of them go underutilised. While making a film, the actor believes in giving his best performance every time. There has never been a time when an artist feels like his full potential is yet to be discovered. Talking about artists, many rise to instant fame while some take time to build their stardom over many years of working. On the other hand, there are sections of actors who lost fame over time as well and completely disappeared from the industry. It is hard for anybody to go through a tough time, but the actor whom we are talking about struggled a lot after his popularity in the entertainment business fell drastically. This actor cleaned toilets and mopped floors, he even became a part-time mechanic to meet his daily needs. This is the same actor who gave back-to-back blockbusters with Kamal Haasan, Tabu, and Rajinikanth. Still couldn't guess which actor we are talking about? The actor in question is none other than Actor Abbas. He now lives a private life somewhere in New Zealand after he went out of business in the film industry. Actor Abbas was once a popular name in the industry, where he even worked in different industries, including Bollywood and Tollywood. Abbas was a chocolate boy of South Industry, his popularity among the audience was so much that his films used to do great business. Now, actor Abbas has done multiple jobs, including working as a taxi driver, and even cleaning the toilets to meet his daily needs. You'll be surprised to know Abbas has shared screens with big names like Mammootty, Tabu, and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. His journey to the film industry is interesting, the actor was an instant hit after his debut film. He went on to dominate the industry for two decades, and today nobody even recognises him. Coming from West Bengal, Abbas, during his prime, made a mark in the industry with his versatile performance alongside stalwarts like Kamal Haasan in Hey Ram and Rajinikanth in Paddyappa. He was even a part of blockbuster films like Kandukondain Kandukondain, Anandham, and Minnale, showcasing his immense talent. According to media reports, Abbas filed for bankruptcy, after which he failed to get a job in the industry, forcing him to look for odd jobs outside India.
Hans India
an hour ago
- Hans India
Aashima Mahajan talks about her experience of working with A. R. Rahman in ‘Thug Life'
Playback singer Aashima Mahajan, who has crooned the song 'Jinguchaa' from the upcoming film 'Thug Life', has spoken up on the process of recording the track, and working in tandem with the Oscar and Grammy-winning music composer A. R. Rahman. Aashima has sung both the Hindi and Telugu versions of the song. The singer admitted that Telugu being a new language, posed a challenge for her as she required more takes to record the song compared to its Hindi version. The singer told, 'For the Hindi version, we recorded two to three takes, and based on the requirement of the song, he chose the one he liked. The Telugu version was a bit tougher for me and took more time and effort'. 'Jinguchaa' is a vibrant and celebratory song that has captivated audiences with its infectious energy and star-studded visuals. Aashima Mahajan shares the vocals with Sukhwinder Singh, Ronkini Gupta & Vaishali Samant, adding to the festive spirit of this foot-tapping number. The lyrics are penned by veteran megastar Kamal Haasan and the video features performances by Silambarasan TR, Sanya Malhotra, and Kamal Haasan. 'Since I don't speak Telugu, I had a pronunciation guide who helped me with the diction, learning how to pronounce the consonants and vowels correctly. I already knew the melody and emotions in the Hindi version, but switching to Telugu meant learning a new language, where even the word placement changes depending on the meaning. So, it was a bit of a challenge, but I really enjoyed the process. We ended up recording and had a lot of fun', she added. The word 'Jinguchaa' translates to 'celebrations'. Aashima is an alumnus of A.R. Rahman's KM Music Conservatory. Talking about her experience of working with A.R. Rahman, the singer said, 'It's incredibly rewarding to be part of such a beautiful and globally acclaimed project, especially with maestros like A.R. Rahman and Mani Ratnam were involved. I feel truly overwhelmed to see that the track is still trending and receiving so much love from audiences. My heart is filled with warmth and gratitude for all the appreciation the song has received'. 'Working with A.R. Rahman Sir has been nothing short of a dream come true for any singer. He is a force of music, almost a celestial soul, yet his aura is both empowering and calming, he has a way of instantly putting you at ease. I will never forget the moment when, after listening to my album track, he said I have the potential to be the Indian version of Adele. That compliment means the world to me and I will keep that in my heart forever,' she added.
Time of India
5 hours ago
- Time of India
Himesh Reshammiya praises Paresh Rawal amid his legal dispute with Akshay Kumar's Hera Pheri 3 during Mumbai concert: ‘He was fantastic'
Singer-composer Himesh Reshammiya made an unexpected reference to veteran actor Paresh Rawal and the Hera Pheri franchise during his concert in Mumbai on Saturday night, drawing cheers from the crowd and sparking conversation online. While performing on stage, Himesh briefly paused to acknowledge Rawal's contribution to the first two films in the popular comedy series. Without directly addressing the actor's recent exit from Hera Pheri 3, Himesh said, 'Hera Pheri 1, he was fantastic. Hera Pheri 2, he was fantastic. He was also great in…' Before completing the sentence, he broke into the track Jumme Raat from Phir Hera Pheri, a song that featured Paresh Rawal alongside Suniel Shetty and Akshay Kumar . The emotional nod was interpreted by many as a subtle show of support for Rawal amid the current controversy surrounding his departure from the third installment of the franchise. The high-energy concert, held in Mumbai, was attended by several celebrities, including Farah Khan, Sajid Khan, Veer Pahariya, Saqib Saleem, and Zaheer Iqbal. The night featured a mix of Himesh's greatest hits, but it was his mention of Hera Pheri that stood out for fans and industry insiders alike. Paresh Rawal's legal dispute with Akshay Kumar Himesh's statement comes amid a legal dispute between Paresh Rawal and Akshay Kumar's production banner, Cape of Good Films. According to reports, the production house has filed a Rs 25 crore lawsuit against Rawal following his exit from Hera Pheri 3. The actor is said to have returned the Rs 11 lakh signing amount, along with 15% annual interest and an additional goodwill payment. Paresh Rawal QUITS Hera Pheri 3 Rawal later addressed the controversy on Twitter, writing, 'My lawyer, Ameet Naik, has sent an appropriate response regarding my rightful termination and exit. Once they read my response, all issues will be laid to rest.' At the Housefull 5 trailer launch, Akshay Kumar was asked about the legal tussle. Without revealing much, he commented, 'I've worked with him for 32 years. He's a great actor and a good friend. This is a serious matter and will be handled legally. I won't speak about it here.' Meanwhile, speculation continues over who will step into the role of Baburao Ganpatrao Apte in Hera Pheri 3. Actor Pankaj Tripathi is reportedly being considered, although no official confirmation has been made by him or the production team. Check out our list of the latest Hindi , English , Tamil , Telugu , Malayalam , and Kannada movies . Don't miss our picks for the best Hindi movies , best Tamil movies, and best Telugu films .
