Latest news with #Kamal
Indian Express
7 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Kamal Haasan's effigy burnt in Bengaluru, Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce threatens Thug Life release
Kamal Haasan's comment on the root of Kannada language has ignited a huge controversy. Associations like Kannada Rakshana Vedike and various politicians have demanded a public apology and threatened to ban the release of his upcoming film Thug Life in Karnataka. Videos of members of Karnataka Rakshana Vedike burning Kamal's effigy and posters in different parts of the state have also surfaced online. The controversy got even bigger when Kamal, at another event, refused to issue an apology and said, 'Love will never apologise. I will apologise only if I am wrong, if not, I will not.' #Bengaluru #Karnataka #kannadalanguage #Thuglife #KamalHaasan #Kannada — K MURALI KUMAR (@photomurali1) May 30, 2025 Kamal Haasan's 'no apology' statement irked minister Shivaraj Tangadagi as he immediately wrote to KFCC (Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce). In his letter, the minister wrote, 'If Tamil film actor Kamal Haasan does not apologise to the people of the state/Kannadigas, the films in which he has acted should be immediately banned in Karnataka.' While speaking to ANI, KFCC president M Narasimhalu said that people in Karnataka are upset with the veteran actor for his comment. He said, 'People of Karnataka are angry with Kamal Haasan. We have also sent a message to the South Film Chamber. The distributors have decided that if he does not apologise before the release of his film on the 5th, it will not be allowed to release here'. The backlash also extended to Kannada actor Shiva Rajkumar as he was also present at the event. ALSO READ | Kamal Haasan: 'My love for Karnataka is true, won't apologise' The controversy intensified when Shiva Rajkumar spoke in Kamal Haasan's support. At another event he said, 'I am a huge fan of Kamal sir. People may ask why should I admire someone else when I have my own father (Dr Rajkumar) to look up to. My father is family while I have great respect for Kamal sir. I am inspired by him. Kamal sir knows what he has said, and he will give an appropriate response.' Shiva Rajkumar's statement angered many of his fans, who reached outside his home in protest. Visuals of people throwing stones outside his home have also surfaced online. ಇದು ಇದು actualy ಚನ್ನಾಗಿರೋದು 👏💥 ಕ್ಷಮೆ ಕೇಳಿಲ್ಲ ಅಂದ್ರೆ ನೆಸ್ಟ್ ಮನೆಗೆ ನುಗ್ಗಿ ಹೊಡೀತೀವಿ Be careful ಶಿವಣ್ಣ🤫#Kfi #BanThugLifeInKarnataka #KamalHaasan #ShivaRajkumar #PuneethRajkumar #Kannada #ThugLife — ರವಿ ಬೆಳಗೆರೆ (@RaviBelagere_) May 31, 2025 Meanwhile, Kannada actor Ramya aka Divya Spandana also spoke about the issue and said that calling for a ban was an overreaction. She told NDTV, 'I think Kamal sir has made a factually incorrect statement. Kannada is not derived from Tamil. All South languages come under the same umbrella. Nobody is superior. But, having said that it is bit much boycotting his film. We are all adults and should engage in constructive conversation. We as South Indians have a bigger problem to deal with. We need to battle the Hindi imposition.' She added, 'Kamal sir should just say sorry and move on. However, I am against the ban. You can't force anyone to apologise.' Thug Life, directed by Mani Ratnam, is slated for a theatrical release on June 5.
The Star
10 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Star
Kamal Haasan is open to filming in M'sia as he arrives in KL to promote new film
Kamal Haasan is happy to present his latest movie 'Thug Life' to his Malaysian fans. Photo: LOW BOON TAT/The Star Indian actor and politician Kamal Haasan is in Kuala Lumpur today (May 31) to promote his latest movie, Thug Life , which is set to hit cinemas on June 5. Speaking to the media at a hotel in KL earlier this afternoon, the 70-year-old described the film as 'a treat' he has prepared for his Malaysian fans. 'We worked hard on this 'child,' which I am now handing over to you,' he said. Thug Life reunites Kamal with director Mani Ratnam after 38 years. Their last collaboration was the 1987 classic Nayakan . Indian media has dubbed Thug Life a 'spiritual sequel' to that film, after Kamal said it was a peace offering to fans who have long awaited their reunion. Co-written by Kamal and Mani, Thug Life is set in the criminal underworld, where brothers Sakthivel and Manickam rule. But things begin to shift when one of them rescues a young boy – triggering insecurity in the other. When an assassination attempt is made on Sakthivel, he sets out to destroy the very family he once built. The film also stars Silambarasan, Trisha Krishnan and Joju George. The award-winning actor – whose notable works include Hey Ram , Indian , Vikram and Vishwaroopam – said his character in Thug Life is someone who fights with everything he has. 'That makes him more dangerous than someone with a sword – because he is someone who has nothing to go back to. The battlefield is his home now. He'll see the battle through to the end, live or die,' Kamal said. When asked whether he'd be interested in filming in Malaysia again, Kamal shared that he has shot scenes here in the past and is open to doing so in the future. 'I've come here many times. I have many friends in Malaysia. And I think we share more than just culture and language,' he added. Besides the press conference, Kamal is also scheduled to make a special appearance at a fan meet-and-greet at MyTown Kuala Lumpur later this evening. Kamal Haasan arrives at the press conference to promote 'Thug Life'. Photo: LOW BOON TAT/The Star.
New Indian Express
14 hours ago
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
Kamal always speaks highly of Kannada: Actor Shivarajkumar
BENGALURU: Kannada actor Shivarajkumar has broken his silence on the ongoing controversy surrounding actor Kamal Haasan's recent remarks about the Kannada language. Speaking at a recent public event -- clips of which are now widely circulating online -- the senior actor stated that Kamal Haasan is aware of what he said and will respond in due time. He added that Kamal has always spoken highly of Kannada and expressed deep admiration for Bengaluru. The controversy began during the audio launch of Kamal Haasan's upcoming film 'Thug Life' in Chennai. With Shivarajkumar seated in front of him, Kamal remarked, 'Tamil gave birth to Kannada', a statement that sparked widespread backlash in Karnataka. Even Chief Minister Siddaramaiah criticised the comment, urging Kamal to better understand the history of the Kannada language. Addressing the issue, Shivarajkumar said at the public event, 'I am a huge fan of Kamal sir. I grew up watching him. People may ask, 'Why should I admire someone else when I have my own father (Dr Rajkumar)?' My father is family, but I also have immense respect for Kamal sir, and I'm inspired by him. He knows what he said, and he will give his response.' He also mentioned, 'I attended the audio launch. Honestly, I don't know what happened there.' Shivarajkumar noted that Kamal had visited Bengaluru after making the controversial remark, and yet no one questioned him about it at the time.
Deccan Herald
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Deccan Herald
Nayakan to Thug Life: A new chapter for an iconic duo
Thirty-eight years after 'Nayakan', which stormed into theatres and ran for more than 200 days, Kamal and Mani Ratnam are back with another magnum opus: 'Thug Life'. 'Nayakan' was loosely based on the life of gangster Varadaraja Mudaliar, who ruled the slums of Mumbai's Dharavi.
New Indian Express
a day ago
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
Kamal Haasan apologises for recent track record, says 'Thug Life' will make amends for it
Kamal Haasan recently said that Kannada originated from Tamil, sparking a major controversy in Karnataka, prompting the right wing and the local film chamber to seek an apology from the actor for his upcoming film Thug Life to be allowed a release in Kannada as well. Many in Karnataka have been calling Kamal arrogant for attributing Kannada's linguistic origins to Tamil. In the middle of the controversy, Kamal made some candid remarks at a Thug Life prerelease event in Hyderabad about his recent track record as an actor. Addressing the crowd, Kamal said, 'I have made many mistakes; you have forgiven all my bad films and have remembered only the good films. Thank you. I have a duty to give you good films. My record in actual, straight Telugu films is good. I have done about 15 to 16 Telugu films, and I have 13 hits. Whenever I get flops, it is my fault. Now, I am making amends for a bad film with this film (Thug Life).'
