'Apologise Or Face Ban…': Karnataka Culture Minister's Warning To Kamal Haasan Over Kannada Remarks
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Last Updated: May 28, 2025, 15:56 IST
In a recent interview at the audio launch of his upcoming film 'Thug Life' in Chennai, actor Kamal Haasan claimed that Tamil gave birth to Kannada. (Image: PTI/Atul Yadav)
Karnataka culture minister Shivaraj Tangadagi on Wednesday warned actor Kamal Haasan that his films will be banned in the state if he fails to apologise over his 'Tamil gave birth to Kannada' remarks.
Tangadagi asked Kamal Haasan to apologise for his remarks or face a ban on his cinema in Karnataka. This was in response to the actor's recent remark at the audio launch of his upcoming film Thug Life in Chennai, where he claimed that Tamil gave birth to Kannada.
'Kamal Haasan has spoken in an inappropriate manner about Kannadigas. Kannadigas will not tolerate this. He should apologise. If he doesn't, I shall write to the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce. I am writing today. He should apologise at any cost. There is no question about it. Else, we will ensure that his films will be banned from being screened in the state," Tangadagi said.
Earlier, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said the Kannada language has a long history, and Haasan is unaware of it. 'Kannada language has a very long history…he (Kamal Haasan) doesn't know," Siddaramaiah told reporters.
The comments have sparked outrage among several pro-Kannada outfits. These groups staged protests against Haasan in various parts of the state like Belagavi, Mysuru, Hubballi, Bengaluru among others.
The activists claimed that Kannada has a history spanning thousands of years. As a demonstration of their anger, they burnt Haasan's posters at Belagavi and a few other places, and raised slogans against him.
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Condemning the actor-politician's statement, the agitators demanded that he apologise to the people of the state. They have even threatened to obstruct the screening of his film 'Thug Life' in the state, if he fails to issue an apology.
(With PTI inputs) News politics 'Apologise Or Face Ban…': Karnataka Culture Minister's Warning To Kamal Haasan Over Kannada Remarks
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