'How Can We Bear This Insult': Karnataka's Ire Against Kamal Haasan Casts Shadow On 'Thug Life' Release

News18

2 days ago

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While the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce does not have the right to ban a film, its president said the issue was about hurting the sentiments of Kannadigas
The Karnataka Film Chamber has warned that actor Kamal Haasan's new film, Thug Life, will not see a release in the state unless he apologises for his 'Kannada is born out of Tamil' remarks.
While the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) does not have the right to ban a film, its president said the issue was about hurting the sentiments of Kannadigas.
'It's not about the release of a movie starring a particular actor, or a language now. It is now about insulting and hurting the sentiments of the 7 crore people of Karnataka. Unless an apology comes from Kamal Haasan, the movie will not see a release in the state," KFCC president NM Suresh told News18.
The KFCC said while the issue of Kannada and culture is not under the purview of the organisation, it is a matter concerning the state and its sentiments. It said Kamal Haasan's statement was unwarranted and unbecoming of a filmmaker of his stature.
Suresh said the KFCC does not have the right to ban any movies as per the Competition Commission of India Act.
'We are not supposed to directly engage in controversies pertaining to language wars. But this issue has arisen when lakhs of Kannadigas – who are the public, viewers, and the ones generating the revenue – have questioned: how can he insult us? That is when we took a stand. Ultimately, it is up to the public to decide what should be done about the movie," he said.
'All he has to do is say what he said was wrong and issue a public apology. Nothing less than a public apology will be accepted," he added.
Several Kannada film directors News18 spoke to, who did not want to be quoted, echoed the sentiment that they felt the statement was 'arrogant" and warranted a public apology.
'It is not about whether it is a great actor like Kamal Haasan or any other artiste. It is about our mother tongue, Kannada, and we are hurt," said a film director on condition of anonymity.
Calling it 'taking things to an extreme", another well-known film director said the matter was not as serious that a movie should be banned from being screened. The director said what Haasan said was not only wrong, 'it was also stupid".
'Neither is Kamal a linguist or a language expert to say so. But one must also see that the statement made by him was not intended to hurt Kannadigas. That was very clear from the way he said it. He was ill-informed, that's all," the director told News18. 'What worries me is that people should be able to speak without being cancelled. If anybody from the film industry freely speaks about these issues, then there would be moves to boycott the film, saying my statement was not in favour of how those taking harsh stands feel."
Yet another acclaimed director felt that Haasan could have been more diplomatic. 'As an actor-politician that he is, and knowing the divisive environment we live in, he could have said it in a different way," the director said. 'He could have said we are all one family, and that Tamil and Kannada are siblings, rather than saying 'mother'. See, when it comes to being pitted against Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, we see this divide. But when we are pitted against North India, all of South India becomes one. Having said that, one must also know that Kamal Haasan is a well-read person. He has read UR Ananthamurthy, Girish Karnad, Kuvempu, Lankesh Patrike. So the intent was not to hurt Kannada, but it could have been put better."
Another Kannada film director recalled the lines from the state anthem 'Jaya Bharata Jananiya Tanujate'. ''Sarva janangada shantiyathota, Rasikara kangala seleyuva nota, Gaayaka vainikararaama, Kannada nudi kunidaaduva geha, Kannada taayiya makkala deha'. These reflect the essence of Karnataka, a peaceful garden for all communities, a delight to every connoisseur's eye, the cultural stage of artistes, the home where the Kannada language itself dances, and everybody is Mother Kannada's children.' How can we bear this insult?" the director asked.
The Karnataka government also stands firm in this matter saying the state, which has always been known for being peaceful, tolerant, and where people from all communities live with equal opportunity and harmony, now needs someone of Haasan's stature, who has hurt sentiments, to apologise, said a senior minister who did not want to be named.
Kannada and culture minister Shivaraj Tangadagi, in a letter to the KFCC, has also urged the body to ban all films featuring Haasan in Karnataka if he fails to apologise.
'Despite the actor's stature, the people of Karnataka cannot tolerate his remarks on their land, water, and language," Tangadagi had said when the controversy broke out.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had also responded, asserting that Kannada has a long and well-documented history. 'Poor Kamal Haasan, he is simply unaware of it," he had said.
A CMO official said a final decision will be made based on the high court's orders.
Suresh further said there is a need for all Kannadigas to unite and fight this 'assault on Kannada". 'Irrespective of anybody's status – he may be big or small – for Kannadigas like us who have been born and raised here, who breathe the air of this land, we will not accept this. Karnataka is the only state where, when a movie from another language – be it Tamil, Telugu, or Malayalam – is released, it is welcomed with floral garlands, and theatres are decorated like it's a festival. Today, this very land has been insulted. By his statement, he has hurt not just Kannada but so many other languages. It just needs a simple sorry," he added.
tags :
kamal haasan kannada
Location :
Bengaluru, India, India
First Published:
June 03, 2025, 08:00 IST
News politics 'How Can We Bear This Insult': Karnataka's Ire Against Kamal Haasan Casts Shadow On 'Thug Life' Release