Latest news with #Kannadigas'
News18
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
BJP Ally JDS Demands Ban On Kamal Haasan's Thug Life In Karnataka Amid Kannada Remark Row
Last Updated: JD(S) demanded a ban on Kamal Haasan's "Thug Life" in Karnataka, accusing him of hurting Kannadigas' pride by linking Kannada's origins to Tamil. Amid the Kannada remark row, the Janata Dal (Secular) on Thursday demanded that the Karnataka government should impose a ban on the film 'Thug Life", by actor Kamal Hasan, saying that the actor has 'hurt the self-esteem of Kannadigas". This comes after Kamal Hasan landed in a controversy while attending the Thug Life audio launch event in Chennai, where he made a statement linking the origins of the Kannada language to Tamil. In a post on X, the JD(S) said that, 'The film by this language offender, who made childish and arrogant statements about the origin of the Kannada language, is set to release in the state on June 5. No permission should be granted for the screening of this film under any circumstances, and Kamal Haasan must be taught a lesson." The party emphasised that the state government must send a warning to those who speak against Kannada land and language, affirming that we stand for the Kannada language. While urging the government to 'teach a lesson" to the South actor, the JD(S) said, 'Kannadigas are tolerant. However, they will not tolerate any harm to their self-respect regarding Kannada land, language, culture, or heritage. The government will punish those who speak lightly against Kannada." Kamal Hasan had said, 'Actor Shivarajkumar is my family living in another state. That's why he is here. That's why when I started my speech, I said 'my life and my family are Tamil'. Your language (Kannada) was born out of Tamil. So you are included in that line." Haasan is currently gearing up for the release of Thug Life. The film follows the tale of Rangaraaya Sakthivel, a merciless gang leader portrayed by Kamal Haasan, and his brother Manickam. After a fierce confrontation, Sakthivel saves a young boy named Amaran and raises him like his own son. However, when an assassination attempt is made on Sakthivel, suspicion falls on Amaran, setting off a gripping story of revenge and shifting loyalties. First Published: May 29, 2025, 13:06 IST
New Indian Express
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
Singer Sonu Nigam says sorry after KFCC ‘ban'
BENGALURU: Hours after Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) decided to 'ban' singer Sonu Nigam from performing as a playback singer for Kannada films/albums for his alleged remarks against Kannadigas, the singer tendered his apology on Monday. 'Sorry Karnataka. My Love for you, is bigger than my Ego. Love you always,' he posted on Instagram. Meanwhile, Bengaluru Rural SP CK Baba told TNIE that Avalahalli police, who had registered an FIR against the singer, issued a notice to him on Monday to appear before them for questioning in the case. 'The singer has been given seven days' time,' he added. Earlier in the day, KFCC president M Narasimhulu said the decision to 'ban' Sonu was taken as he had hurt the sentiments of Kannadigas. 'We have collectively decided that Sonu Nigam should not be part of any Kannada film. We will also request event organisers to keep him away from concerts and shows. This will continue until he tenders an unconditional apology,' Narasimhulu added. The singer landed in a controversy for his remarks during a live concert in the city on April 25. When the audience demanded that he sing Kannada songs, he said, 'Kannada, Kannada, Kannada -- this is why the Pahalgam terror attack happened.' After a video of the incident went viral, a Kannada activist filed a complaint with Avalahalli police on May 3, alleging that the singer's statement had hurt Kannadigas' sentiments. Based on the complaint, Sonu was booked for criminal intimidation, intentional insult to provoke breach of peace, and public mischief. Later, the singer took to social media and posted a video allegedly justifying his statements that 'a few goonda elements are found everywhere. We need to confront such people and we have to stop those spreading hatred.'
New Indian Express
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
Kannada film industry bans singer Sonu Nigam for controversial remark at Bengaluru concert
BENGALURU: Kannada Film Chamber of Commerce banned singer Sonu Nigam for making controversial remarks during a concert at East Point Engineering College in Bengaluru on April 25. Sonu Nigam landed in trouble when he linked the request to sing in Kannada with the recent Pahalgam terrorist attack. The video of the incident went viral and led to Kannada Rakshana Vedike getting an FIR registered at Avalahalli Police on May 3, 2025, stating that Sonu Nigam's statements hurt the Kannadigas' sentiments. Avalahalli Police has served a notice to him to appear before the Investigation Officer (IO) within a week.
News18
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
Bengaluru Cops Serve Notice To Sonu Nigam, Singer Asked To Appear In One Week
Last Updated: The Avalahalli Police issued a notice to singer Sonu Nigam for inquiry after his controversial remarks at East Point College. An FIR alleges his comments promoted enmity. The Avalahalli Police have issued a formal notice to renowned singer Sonu Nigam, asking him to appear for inquiry within a week, following controversial remarks he made during a programme held at East Point College on April 25 in Bengaluru. An FIR was registered on on April 27, 2025 based on a complaint filed by pro-Kannada organisation Karnataka Rakshana Vedike. The complaint alleges that Nigam's comments promoted enmity between linguistic groups. The police have also stated that they are in the process of issuing a notice to the organisers responsible for the event. The FIR has been registered under section 352 (intentional insults intended to provoke a breach of peace). Meanwhile, the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) has announced that the Kannada film industry (commonly referred to as Sandalwood) will not engage with Sonu Nigam in any capacity for future projects. The Chamber stressed that this is not a formal 'ban," citing potential legal complications under the Competition Commission of India. Instead, the decision is being termed as 'non-cooperation." 'We are unable to contact Sonu Nigam post the controversy," a KFCC representative said, adding that meetings will be held with producers, composers, and filmmakers to arrive at a permanent course of action. 'If Sonu Nigam tenders an apology, we will consider what to do next," the KFCC added. 'However, if he doesn't, the industry will not cooperate with him in any way." This comes days after Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (KRV) filed a formal complaint with the Bengaluru police and accused Sonu Nigam of 'comparing Kannada and the Kannadigas' language struggle to terrorism and what happened in Pahalgam." The letter, accessed by News18, also stated that Nigam was 'trying to incite enmity between different linguistic groups." Meanwhile, the Kannada film industry is preparing to distance itself from Sonu Nigam. The Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce is likely to hold a crucial meeting on Monday to discuss the issue and chart a future course of action. Key industry stakeholders—including the Music Directors Association, Directors Association, and Producers Association—are expected to attend the upcoming meeting, where discussions will likely focus on the potential decision to refrain from involving Sonu Nigam in future Kannada film projects. The controversy erupted when Sonu Nigam, during his performance, slammed a fan for allegedly rudely requesting a Kannada song. In his remarks, he compared the mindset of the fan to that of the terrorists responsible for the Pahalgam attack. Sonu Nigam called the demand 'rudely threatening" and said, 'Mujhe accha nahi laga ki waha ek ladka jiski umar, jitni uske umar nahi hogi use pehle toh main Kannada gaane garaha hoon. He was so rudely threatening me, 'Kannada, Kannada'. Yahi kaaran hai, Pahalgam mein jo hua hai na? Yahi kaaran hai jo karrahe ho, jo kiya tha na abhi? Dekho toh kaun saamne khada hai. I love Kannadigas, I love you guys. Main puri duniya mein jaha bhi jata hoon, main humesha bolta hoon main, sabko bolta hoon main…14,000 ki audience hog usme ek awaaz aati hai, 'Kannada'. Toh main unke liye, us ek Kannadiga k liye main kuch line Kannadiga k gaata hoon. Main itni izzat karta hoon aapki, itna pyaar karta hoon. So thoda sa rehna chahiye, aesa nahi karna chahiye aapko." This soon triggered strong reactions. The comments were widely condemned by the Kannada-speaking community. KRV Bengaluru District President Dharmaraj Gowda, speaking to News18 earlier, had said, 'His statements have hurt the sentiments of the Kannadiga community and could incite violence between various linguistic communities of Karnataka. The video of Sonu Nigam has gone viral, and crores of Kannadigas across the state are outraged." First Published: May 05, 2025, 15:13 IST
News18
03-05-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
‘They Become Like Bawaseer': Sonu Nigam Issues Clarification While FIR Filed Against Him; What Has Happened
Last Updated: Nigam was allegedly repeatedly asked to sing in Kannada by a young man at a Bengaluru event, prompting an angry response from him An FIR has been filed against Bollywood singer Sonu Nigam based on the complaint filed by pro-Kannada organisation Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (KRV) 'for allegedly making objectionable and inflammatory remarks" during a private concert in Bengaluru. The case has been registered at the Avalahalli police station in north Bengaluru. Nigam has been booked under three sections of BNSS, including Section 352(1) for promoting enmity between different groups, Section 351(2) for criminal defamation, and Section 353 for insulting religious or linguistic sentiments. The FIR, which was based on the complaint and videos submitted by Karnataka Rakshana Vedike's Bengaluru district president Dharmaraj Gowda, said that Nigam's remarks had the intent to cause hatred between Kannada speakers and other linguistic groups by comparing it to violence and other language-based demands. The FIR also booked Nigam under Section 351(2), stating that the remarks made by Nigam defamed the Kannadiga community. This, KRV said, was 'damaging Kannadigas' peaceful reputation". The FIR said that an investigation into the matter has been initiated. What did Sonu Nigam say in 'clarification' video? Sonu Nigam issued a video as a clarification, where he spoke of how the incident panned out at the event. He said that there are ways of shouting out supportive slogans, and then there is a way of shouting 'Kannada" in a threatening way. He said that there was a difference in how it is said. There were four or five 'goonda-like" people in the audience. When they were shouting, many were asking them to calm down, and girls were also asking them not to disturb the scene, the singer said. 'To those four or five of them, it's important to remind them that when the incident took place in Pahalgam and people were asked to take their pants down, they were not asked what language they spoke. Kannadigas are very lovely people. If you see the comments, don't think that there is a wave happening there. There is nothing like that," he said in the video. 'Every place, every state, there are a few people whom you cannot allow to threaten you as an audience or make you sing. Across the world, we get love. We come prepared with a full-hour set of Kannada songs. I had also mentioned that on the stage. But those who instigate people, it is important to stop people who provoke, or they become like 'bawaseer' (piles) later," he said. Nigam said in his video message that 'In the land of love, to sow the seeds of hatred—if somebody is doing that, then we must stop it immediately because we will have to end up harvesting the product. Kannadigas are beautiful people, so please don't generalise them. There were just four such boys who looked me in the eye with anger and started to do what they did from the first song itself. It was not even after half an hour of the show. They were not demanding, they were threatening. You can ask the people who were around them. Lots of love to all of you." The singer rose to prominence in the Kannada film industry after delivering a set of chart-topping numbers in films like Mungaru Male (2006), Milana (2007), and Gaalipata (2008). What did KRV say in complaint? Speaking to News18, KRV said that until Sonu Nigam publicly apologises for his statement, it will not allow him to perform in Karnataka. Another pro-Kannada organisation called Yuva Karnataka Vedike approached the Karnataka Film Chamber seeking a ban on Sonu Nigam from singing in Kannada films. Pro-Kannada groups are up in arms over the part of Nigam's statement where he said, 'This is the reason behind the incident in Pahalgam. Please see who is standing before you. I love you guys." The complaint letter to the Bengaluru police said that Sonu Nigam was trying to incite enmity between different linguistic groups. 'His statements have hurt the sentiments of the Kannadiga community and could incite violence between various linguistic communities of Karnataka. The video of Sonu Nigam has gone viral, and crores of Kannadigas across the state are outraged," said Karnataka Rakshana Vedike's Bengaluru district president Dharmaraj Gowda. What had happened earlier? A viral video clip circulating on social media shows Sonu Nigam speaking in Hindi, saying, 'I have sung songs in all languages. But the best songs I have sung in my life are in Kannada. Main aapke beech mein jab bhi aata hoon, bohot pyaar se aata hoon. Shows toh roz karte hain hum log, lekin jab kabhi bhi Karnataka mein kahi bhi shows hote hain, hum bohot izzat se aate hain kyunki aap logon ne humein apna parivaar maana hai (Whenever I come to you, I come with a lot of love. We do shows every day, but whenever we perform in Karnataka, we come with great respect, because you have accepted us as family)." 'Even abroad, I make it a point to sing at least one Kannada song," Nigam is heard saying. Nigam, while performing at a private concert in Bengaluru, reportedly lost his cool when someone from the audience heckled him and asked him to sing in Kannada. The student, Nigam said, pointed at him and shouted, 'Kannada, Kannada". Offended, the singer stopped his performance and told the crowd that while he loves and respects Kannadigas and that some of his best songs have been in Kannada, the young boy's behaviour felt 'rudely threatening". 'I didn't like when the boy there, who is not even as old as my career, rudely threatened me to sing in Kannada," Nigam said in the now-viral video. First Published:
