Kamal Haasan Opposes Hindi 'Imposition' In India, Backs Global Languages: 'Can Do Spanish, Chinese'
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Kamal Haasan speaks out against Hindi imposition amid controversy around "Kannada born out of Tamil" statement.
Kamal Haasan has never shied away from political or cultural debates—and this time is no different. While promoting his latest film Thug Life, the veteran actor addressed the sensitive issue of Hindi being imposed in non-Hindi-speaking states, voicing strong support for linguistic freedom across the country.
The controversy follows recent remarks by Kamal Haasan, where he stated that Kannada originated from Tamil. This sparked outrage in Karnataka, resulting in Thug Life not being released in the state. But the actor remained unapologetic, instead reminding people of his own past work in Hindi cinema.
Also see: Amid Kannada Language Row, Kamal Haasan Reacts To Bengaluru Stampede: 'Heart-Wrenching Tragedy'
'I am the actor from Ek Duuje Ke Liye…," Haasan told PTI, recalling his 1981 film about a Tamil man falling in love with a Hindi-speaking woman — one of his best-known roles in the Hindi belt.
During the media interaction, he made his stance on language imposition clear. 'Without imposition, we will learn. Don't impose, because this is ultimately education and we must take the shortest route to education… and not put hurdles in its way," he said.
Kamal Haasan further underlined that the resistance to Hindi isn't just a southern issue. 'I stand with Punjab. I stand with Karnataka. I stand with Andhra. This is not only place which is resenting imposition," he said, speaking out for linguistic inclusivity across India.
Talking about global competitiveness, he added that adopting a practical, global language could offer a smoother path forward. 'And English seems to be fair enough. You can do Spanish also, or Chinese. But I think the most practical thing where the shortest route to that is that we have 350 years of English education, slowly but steadily. So when you suddenly replace it, it's all over again. You make unnecessarily many people illiterate, especially in Tamil Nadu," he said.
He continued, highlighting the concerns faced by non-Hindi speakers. 'You suddenly force all through Hindi and you tell them that you will not get your job beyond the Vindhyas, then you start wondering, what about the promises? What about my language? Am I not one of the 22 (official languages)? These are the questions that are coming," he rued.
Kamal Haasan had sought court protection for the film's release in the state, but later confirmed that Thug Life would not be released in Karnataka following observations from the Karnataka High Court.
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