Latest news with #KarnatakaRakshanaVedike
News18
an hour ago
- Entertainment
- News18
Kamal Haasan Wishes Thug Life Director Mani Ratnam Amid Kannada-Tamil Controversy
Last Updated: Kamal Haasan posted a heartfelt note for Mani Ratnam ahead of their film Thug Life. His birthday wish comes amid controversy over his "Tamil gave birth to Kannada" statement. Kamal Haasan has posted a heartwarming note for filmmaker Mani Ratnam on his birthday today, June 2, ahead of the release of their film, Thug Life. He traced their journey together from Nayakan to their upcoming film, calling him a 'source of strength" in his life. Haasan's note comes amid the erupting controversy over his 'Tamil gave birth to Kannada" statement at the Thug Life event in Chennai. Kamal Haasan posted a monochrome photo with Mani Ratnam and wrote, 'Happy Birthday, Mani Ratnam. From Nayakan to Thug Life, we've journeyed through time together — as colleagues, family, co-dreamers, and above all, as lifelong students of cinema. Through every chapter, your presence has been a source of strength — a mind I turn to in moments of doubt, and a soul deeply attuned to the language of film like few others. May your stories keep unfolding, for with every frame, your vision brings depth, beauty, and meaning to cinema. Forever your friend, Kamal Haasan." Take a look: Happy Birthday, Mani Nayakan to Thug Life, we've journeyed through time together — as colleagues, family, co-dreamers, and above all, as lifelong students of cinema. Through every chapter, your presence has been a source of strength — a mind I turn to in moments of… — Kamal Haasan (@ikamalhaasan) June 2, 2025 What is the Kamal Haasan controversy? Kamal Haasan's statement on Kannada-Tamil didn't go down well with pro-Kannada organisations in Karnataka. However, the South megastar has clearly stated that he will apologise only if he feels he is wrong. He further urged others not to 'tamper" with his lifestyle, as the controversy snowballs. 'If I'm wrong, I'll apologise. If I'm not, I won't. This is my lifestyle, please don't tamper with it," the Nayakan actor told India Today. He added, 'India is a democratic country, and I believe in law and justice." The 70-year-old actor's reaction comes after the pro-Kannada organisation Karnataka Rakshana Vedike filed a complaint against him with Bengaluru Police on Wednesday. The group, led by Praveen Shetty, has also requested an FIR against the actor-politician for his remark. They filed the complaint at the RT Nagar police station, seeking legal action against the actor. In their complaint, the organisation claimed that the actor's 'controversial statement" not only hurt the sentiments of Kannadigas but also created discord between Kannadigas and Tamils and insulted Kannadigas. The actor's comments have sparked outrage among several pro-Kannada groups, leading to protests against Haasan in various parts of the state, including Belagavi, Mysuru, Hubballi, and Bengaluru. First Published:
Khaleej Times
an hour ago
- Entertainment
- Khaleej Times
Day ahead of release, Kamal Haasan's 'Thug Life' faces trouble
A pro-Kannada organisation, Karnataka Rakshana Vedike, attempted to lay siege to a theatre in Bengaluru, to restrict the release of Kamal Haasan's Thug Life. Praveen Shetty of the Karnataka Rakshana Vedike warned the owners of Victory Cinema not to release the movie, alleging that the actor has made inappropriate remarks about the Kannada language. The move by the Karnataka Rakshana Vedike came after actor reportedly said "Kannada is born out of Tamil" during a promotional event in Chennai. This led to several protests by the pro-Kannada organisations and the ban by the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce over the release of the movie 'Thug Life'. While speaking with ANI, Praveen Shetty said, "Kamal Haasan has spoken against the Kannada language... In this context, we came here today and told the theatre owners not to release Kamal Haasan's film. Kamal Haasan's film should not be released in Karnataka. If the film is released, the government will be held responsible for any untoward incidents that follow." Last week, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah criticised Haasan for his reported remark, stating that he was not aware of the "long-standing" history of the language. "Kannada has a long-standing history. Poor Kamal Haasan, he is unaware of it," the Karnataka Chief Minister said. Thug Life, directed by Mani Ratnam, also stars Trisha Krishnan and Silambarasan TR in lead roles. Speaking to media personnel outside the DMK party headquarters in Chennai, Haasan said, "It is a democracy. I believe in law and justice. My love for Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala is true. Nobody will suspect it except for those who have an agenda. I've been threatened earlier too, and if I am wrong, I would apologise, if I'm not, I won't." Meanwhile, the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) has banned the release of Thug Life over the actor's purported remarks on the Kannada language. Speaking to mediapersons in Bengaluru, Sa Ra Govindu, representative of KFCC, said that they have decided to ban the movie's release in Karnataka as they stand firmly with Karnataka Rakshana Vedike and other Kannada organisations. The KFCC representative said that Kamal Haasan has not yet issued an apology for hurting the sentiments of the Kannada people during his promotional event in Chennai. He said, "When there is pressure, I have to do. Even Karnataka Rakshana Vedike were present; whatever they say, we should do it. Even they would speak about it. Definitely, there is no 'Sorry' term being specified anywhere by Kamal Hassan. We will surely not release the film. We (KFCC) will stand with Rakshina Vedike and other Kannada organisations."
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Thug Life: Pro-Kannada group warns Bengaluru theatres against screening Kamal Haasan's 'Thug Life'
Tensions flared in Bengaluru on Sunday as members of the pro-Kannada group Karnataka Rakshana Vedike staged a protest outside Victory Cinema in Kamakshipalya. The demonstration was aimed at halting the screening of 's upcoming film 'Thug Life,' following a controversial statement made by the actor. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now During an event in Chennai, Kamal Haasan reportedly remarked that "Kannada was born from Tamil," a claim that triggered widespread backlash among Kannada supporters. Group threatens theatre owners, KFCC responds Praveen Shetty, the president of the Rakshana Vedike, led the protest and issued a stern warning to theatre owners. He alleged that Kamal Haasan had insulted the Kannada language and called for the film to be blocked across Karnataka. Speaking to ANI, Shetty said that if 'Thug Life' is screened, the state government must be prepared to take responsibility for any fallout. Shortly after the protest, the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) announced a statewide ban on the film's release. CM and Kamal Haasan respond The controversy deepened midweek when Siddaramaiah responded to Kamal Haasan's remarks. Dismissing the actor's statement as ignorant, the CM said, 'Kannada has a long-standing history. Poor Kamal Haasan, he is unaware of it.' The issue escalated further when Kamal Haasan, addressing the uproar at a separate event, refused to offer an apology. He maintained his position by saying, 'Love will never apologise. I will apologise only if I am wrong. This is my lifestyle. Please don't tamper with it.' Ban threat intensifies amid KFCC support In the latest development, Karnataka Minister Shivaraj Tangadagi echoed calls for a ban on Kamal Haasan's films unless the actor issues a public apology. Supporting this sentiment, KFCC President M Narasimhalu stated that the decision to withhold screenings of 'Thug Life' was taken independently by theatre owners and distributors. As tensions simmer, the film's release in Karnataka remains uncertain.
News18
17 hours ago
- Entertainment
- News18
Shiva Rajkumar Says He Didn't Clap During Kamal Haasan's Kannada-Tamil Statement
Last Updated: Kamal Haasan's claim that "Tamil gave birth to Kannada" sparked protests. Kannada actor-politician Shiva Rajkumar clarified he didn't support Haasan's remarks. Kamal Haasan's 'Tamil gave birth to Kannada" at the Thug Life event in Chennai has embroiled him in a massive controversy. The South superstar has refused to apologise, leading several pro-Kannada groups to protest against the actor in Karnataka by burning his effigy and posters. Amid this, Kannada actor-politician Shiva Rajkumar, who has been supporting Haasan's statements, has denied applauding Haasan's remarks. He clarified that many have misunderstood his gesture at the event, assuming he was applauding Kamal Haasan's remark. While Shiva admitted to clapping, he explained it was in response to a different statement. He said, 'At the event, I did not understand what was going on. But they're showing clippings as if I'm clapping for that. I was clapping because he told, he was my chithappa (uncle)." Prior to this, Shivarajkumar expressed his fondness for Kamal Haasan and had backed the latter amid the growing controversy. ' I really like Kamal Haasan, he is my favorite. My father and Kamal Haasan had a special relationship, and because of that, I'm not just a fan—I admire him deeply. I consider Kamal Haasan an inspiration. We just went to his program and came back, that's all. Even Kamal Haasan has a love for Kannada. When he came to Bengaluru, he could have been asked then. Why make it a big issue now?" he said. How did Kamal Haasan react to the controversy? The South megastar has clearly stated that he will apologise only if he feels he is wrong. He further urged others not to 'tamper" with his lifestyle, as the controversy snowballs. 'If I'm wrong, I'll apologise. If I'm not, I won't. This is my lifestyle, please don't tamper with it," the Nayakan actor told India Today. He added, 'India is a democratic country, and I believe in law and justice." The 70-year-old actor's reaction comes after the pro-Kannada organisation Karnataka Rakshana Vedike lodged a complaint against him with Bengaluru Police on Wednesday. The group, led by Praveen Shetty, has also requested an FIR against the actor-politician for his remark. They filed the complaint at the RT Nagar police station, seeking legal action against the actor. In their complaint, the organisation claimed that the actor's 'controversial statement" not only hurt the sentiments of Kannadigas but also created discord between Kannadigas and Tamils and insulted Kannadigas. The actor's comments have sparked outrage among several pro-Kannada groups, leading to protests against Haasan in various parts of the state, including Belagavi, Mysuru, Hubballi, and Bengaluru. First Published:
Indian Express
18 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Pro-Kannada organisation warns theatre owners on Kamal Haasan's Thug Life release in Bengaluru amid Kannada language row
A pro-Kannada organisation, Karnataka Rakshana Vedike, attempted to lay siege to the theatre in Kamakshipalya, Bengaluru, to restrict the release of Kamal Haasan's Thug Life on Sunday. Praveen Shetty of the Karnataka Rakshana Vedike warned the owners of Victory Cinema Theatre in Kamakshipalya, Bengaluru, not to release Kamal Haasan's Thug Life, alleging that the actor has made inappropriate remarks about the Kannada language. The move by the Karnataka Rakshana Vedike came after the actor reportedly stated that 'Kannada is born out of Tamil' during a promotional event in Chennai. This led to several protests by the pro-Kannada organisations and the ban by the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) over the release of the movie Thug Life. While speaking with ANI, Praveen Shetty said, 'Kamal Haasan has spoken against the Kannada language. We will not allow Kamal Haasan's film to be released in Karnataka. They said that the film will be released at the Victory Cinema. In this context, we came here today and told the theatre owners not to release Kamal Haasan's film. Kamal Haasan's film should not be released in Karnataka. If the film is released, the government will be held responsible for any untoward incidents that follow.' On Wednesday, the Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah criticised Kamal Haasan for his reported remark about the Kannada language, stating that he was not aware of the 'long-standing' history of the language. 'Kannada has a long-standing history. Poor Kamal Haasan, he is unaware of it,' the Karnataka Chief Minister said. Thug Life, directed by Mani Ratnam also stars Trisha Krishnan and Silambarasan TR in lead roles. Speaking to media personnel outside the DMK party headquarters in Chennai, Haasan said, 'It is a democracy. I believe in law and justice. My love for Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala is true. Nobody will suspect it except for those who have an agenda. I've been threatened earlier too, and if I am wrong, I would apologise, if I'm not, I won't.' Meanwhile, the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) has banned the release of Thug Life over the actor's purported remarks on the Kannada language. Speaking to mediapersons in Bengaluru today Sa Ra Govindu, representative of KFCC, said that they have decided to ban the release of Kamal Haasan starrer Thug Life in Karnataka as they stand firmly with Karnataka Rakshana Vedike and other Kannada organisations for their demands of halting the release of the film until the actor issues a pubic apology. The KFCC representative said that Kamal Haasan has not yet issued an apology for hurting the sentiments of the Kannada people during his promotional event in Chennai. He said, 'When there is pressure, I have to do. Even Karnataka Rakshana Vedike were present; whatever they say, we should do it. Even they would speak about it. Definitely, there is no 'Sorry' term being specified anywhere by Kamal Hassan. We will surely not release the film. We (KFCC) will stand with Rakshina Vedike and other Kannada organisations.' Thug Life, directed by Mani Ratnam, also stars Trisha Krishnan and Silambarasan TR in lead roles.
