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Indian Express

‘All's well that ends well': Karnataka HC nudges Kamal Haasan to express regret over Tamil-Kannada remarks

The Karnataka High Court Tuesday suggested that film actor Kamal Haasan should express regret if sentiments of people in Karnataka had been hurt by his recent remarks on the origin of the Kannada language during the audio release of his new film, Thug Life, which is scheduled for release on June 5. A single-judge bench of the Karnataka HC suggested this while hearing a plea filed by Raajkamal Film Ventures, the film production house run by Kamal Haasan, for police protection for the release of Thug Life in Karnataka, where Kannada activists and the Kannada and Culture Minister Shivaraj Tangadagi have sought an apology from the actor. The plea hearing was passed over to the afternoon session after the counsel for the production house sought time to place the High Court's suggestion before the actor-producer. With Senior Advocate Dhyan Chinappa representing the petitioner, the bench raised several questions regarding the actor's statement and whether he would apologise. Chinappa stated, 'Quite clearly, the release of the movie cannot be stopped… Neither KFCC nor the Karnataka Government can stop it. Another superstar of Kannada cinema, Mr Shiv Rajkumar, was present in the audience, and a statement was made welcoming him… That statement can't be taken outside as if there was some intention to say something against Kannada.' Noting that the reply made by Kamal Haasan afterwards (also submitted in the court) was not an apology, the bench observed, 'A citizen has no right to hurt the sentiments of the masses. People are very emotional about three things – Jala, Nela, and Bhashe (water, land, and language)… The division of the country into states was on linguistic lines. If a public figure makes a statement… What has happened because of that? Unrest, disharmony… What did the people of Karnataka ask – to apologise. Now, you have come before this court seeking police protection in the circumstances created by you.' During the argument, Justice M Nagaprasanna said the last Governor General of India, C Rajagopalachari, remarked in 1950 that Kannada was born out of Tamil, but later apologised after being corrected by Kannada writers. 'It may not be drastically wrong. But what is it that is making you stick to your guns, saying that I will not utter a word of apology? All that is required to be said is that I have hurt the sentiments. All's well that ends well,' Justice Nagaprasanna said to the counsel for Kamal Haasan. 'Now you want your film to run smoothly in a state where sentiments are hurt. If you are not so bothered, why do you want the film to run in Karnataka – leave it. Fundamental right of speech, freedom of expression are alright, but freedom of expression cannot be stretched to the extent of hurting someone's sentiments, of the mass in particular,' Justice Nagaprasanna said. 'All he needs to say is the context in which he has spoken, and that it is not to hurt anyone's statements and if it has … Discretion is the best part of valour. That is all there is. We will not let the sentiments of anyone be taken for a ride like this by a public figure in a public forum. Mistakes happen, and we are not here for confessions. When mistakes happen, you should know what to do,' Justice Nagaprasanna said. The counsel for Kamal Haasan argued that Haasan's statement was taken out of context. 'It was not a seminar on Kannada on Tamil language. It was taken out of context. Our intention is to defuse the situation,' the counsel said. 'I am only saying that a person creates a circumstance, and the circumstance only results in disharmony and likely unrest. If you are aware of the consequences, then you should say it. He is also a citizen of the nation. You are letting it go beyond control, and it is your film,' Justice Nagaprasanna pointed out. 'The division of this country was on linguistic lines. So, language is important. In terms of law, we will consider. That is a different thing. But, no person can undermine the sentiment of the people of Karnataka as you have done now, saying your language is born to that or Tamil language is the mother of Kannada language. On what basis? Are you a historian or are you a linguist?' asked Justice Nagaprasanna. 'It is in the public domain that C Rajagopalachari in 1950 made a similar sort of statement. At that time, Hampanna wrote a letter to C Rajagopalachari, and he immediately issued a public apology that his statement was wrong. Now, 75 years later, the same statement is made. C Rajagopalachari had apologised,' Justice Nagaprasanna stated. 'I saw a paragraph here saying that for the first time, so many things are happening. A ₹ 300 crore film has been made, and that after Nayakan, this is the first movie of Manirathnam and Kamal Haasan together. You know the importance, but cannot make a statement,' he said. The producers of Thug Life moved the Karnataka High Court, seeking protection to ensure the smooth release of the film in the state after the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce stated that the film would not be allowed a release in the state until Kamal Haasan apologises for a statement he made about Kannada. In the writ petition filed before the high court, Raaj Kamal Films International said the comment was only made to express cultural solidarity, and had been selectively quoted afterwards. It also expressed apprehension that the police were unlikely to extend protection to those associated with the film, and the audience upon release. The petition submitted that the film had obtained the relevant certifications and any ban on it would interfere with the fundamental right 'to carry on…business' under Article 19 of the Constitution as well as the rights of the audience to watch the film. Once the certification from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) was obtained, the petitioner would be entitled to peacefully exhibit the film, and any steps taken to obstruct the release would be illegal and a challenge to CBFC's authority. It also stated that a ban on the film would cause crores in loss, and that irreparable harm might occur if interim relief was not granted to Raaj Kamal Films in the matter. The petition requested that the court issue a writ of mandamus restraining any measures against the film's release. The plea also sought a direction to the state police to provide security to those associated with the film, the audience, and film exhibits on the day of release and subsequent screening. It requested that the KFCC be restrained from giving any orders related to a ban on the release of Thug Life in Karnataka. Earlier, after pro-Kannada organisations staged protests in cities including Bengaluru, Belagavi, Hubballi, and Mysuru, demanding an apology, Haasan clarified in Chennai that his remarks stemmed from 'love' for the language. 'I think what I said was said with a lot of love. Historians have taught me the language's history… I didn't mean anything,' he said. Karnataka Minister for Kannada and Culture Tangadagi wrote to the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce on May 29, urging that all films featuring Haasan be banned in Karnataka if he failed to apologise. 'Despite the actor's stature, the people of Karnataka cannot tolerate his remarks on their land, water, and language,' Tangadagi said. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah also weighed in, asserting that Kannada has a long and well-documented history. 'Poor Kamal Haasan, he is simply unaware of it,' he remarked. Karnataka BJP state president B Y Vijayendra accused Haasan of 'disrespecting Kannada to glorify his own mother tongue,' calling for an unconditional apology. 'Artists should embody the culture of respecting all languages,' he posted on social media.