Latest news with #MNM
Time of India
7 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Nainar slams Kamal for going back on his stand against dynastic politics
Coimbatore: BJP state president Nainar Nagendran has criticised Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) leader and actor Kamal Haasan for going back on his stand against dynastic politics after accepting a Rajya Sabha seat from DMK. Speaking to reporters at the Coimbatore International Airport on Sunday, Nagendran said Kamal Haasan, who initially opposed dynastic politics, now supports it, contradicting his earlier stance. When asked about the Panthalkudi canal in Madurai covered with cloth, Nagendran said that under the 'Dravidian model' govt, the chief minister remains unaware of what is happening in the state because officials are hiding facts. He added that the canal should have been cleaned beforehand rather than concealed. Nagendran also alleged that electricity charges in Tamil Nadu had increased significantly and called for a review. He accused the state govt of failing to implement Central govt schemes and doing little for the people, while hiding schemes introduced by the Centre. Responding to a question on actor and TVK president Vijay's recent remark that "boxes will go from house to house in 2026," Nagendran said the statement rings true.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
'Will apologise only if I am wrong': Kamal Haasan defends remarks on Kannada language amid 'thug life' boycott calls
NEW DELHI: Facing growing backlash and a boycott call over his controversial remark about the Kannada language, MNM president and actor Kamal Haasan on Friday said he would apologise only if proven wrong and dismissed threats from pro-Kannada groups. 'I've been threatened earlier too, and if I am wrong, I would apologise, if I'm not, I won't,' Haasan said, responding to demands for a public apology. The controversy erupted after Haasan reportedly said during a promotional event in Chennai that 'Kannada is born out of Tamil.' The remark triggered widespread outrage in Karnataka, with political leaders, language activists and film bodies condemning the statement as disrespectful to Kannada's heritage. 'It is a democracy. I believe in the law and justice. My love for Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala is true. Nobody will suspect it except for those who have an agenda,' Haasan said, addressing the media. In response to the uproar, the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) has announced a ban on the release of Haasan's upcoming film Thug Life in the state. Sa Ra Govindu, a representative of KFCC, said, 'Definitely, there is no 'Sorry' term being specified anywhere by Kamal Haasan. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Buy Brass Idols - Handmade Brass Statues for Home & Gifting Luxeartisanship Buy Now Undo We will surely not release the film. We (KFCC) will stand with Rakshina Vedike and other Kannada organisations.' The Karnataka Rakshana Vedike, which has been at the forefront of the protest, had earlier issued a warning to Haasan. 'You want to do business in Karnataka and show your movies, stop insulting Kannada and Kannadigas,' its president Praveen Shetty said, adding that the group had planned to confront Haasan before he left the event venue. Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah also weighed in, saying, 'Kannada has a long-standing history. Poor Kamal Haasan, he is unaware of it.' Karnataka BJP chief BY Vijayendra called the remark 'an insult to Kannada' and demanded an unconditional apology from the actor. Amid the backlash, Haasan attempted to clarify his stance. 'I think what I said was said out of love and with a lot of historians who taught me language, history and that I didn't mean anything,' he stated. Urging politicians to stay away from linguistic debates, he added, 'Politicians are not qualified to talk about language... that includes me.' Haasan further cited linguistic perspectives, saying, 'If you look at it from the northern point of view, what they say is right. If you look from Kanyakumari, then what I say is right. There's a third angle to it also... The scholars and language experts will say they both are right.' Protests were also reported in Karnataka's Belagavi city where demonstrators gathered near a cinema hall demanding an apology. Congress MLA Rizwan Arshad criticised Haasan's statement, calling it 'unfortunate' and unnecessary during a time when national unity is needed. Thug Life, directed by Mani Ratnam and starring Kamal Haasan, Trisha Krishnan, and Silambarasan TR, is now caught in the middle of a cultural and political storm, with its release in Karnataka under threat until the actor issues a formal apology.
New Indian Express
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
‘Won't apologise if I am not wrong': Kamal Haasan stands firm on Kannada-Tamil remark
Actor-politician Kamal Haasan on Friday stood firm on his controversial remark that Kannada was 'born out of' Tamil, asserting that he will not apologise unless he believes he is wrong. His statement, made during a promotional event for his upcoming film Thug Life in Chennai, sparked sharp backlash in Karnataka, with pro-Kannada groups threatening to boycott the film and demanding an apology. Responding to the outrage, the Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) chief, who is expected to enter the Rajya Sabha with the ruling DMK's support next month, said he has faced such threats before and remains unfazed. "I've been threatened before... but love will always triumph," Haasan said, reaffirming his affection for Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Kerala. 'Only those with an agenda would suspect otherwise.' Haasan clarified that while he respects all southern languages and cultures, he stands by his statement and would only apologise if convinced he was in the wrong. 'If I am wrong, I would apologise. If I'm not, I won't,' he said. The actor also emphasised his commitment to democratic values. 'This is a democracy. I believe in law and justice,' he said.
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
'Won't apologise if I am not wrong': Kamal Haasan amid row over Kannada language remark
Actor-turned-politician Kamal Haasan on Friday said he will not apologise if he is not wrong and revealed that he has faced threats before amid controversy over his remark that 'Kannada is born out of Tamil' during a promotional event for his latest film Thug Life in Chennai. "It is a democracy. I believe in the 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..." said the MNM President and actor, responding to warnings by pro-Kannada groups who threatened to boycott his film and demanded an apology for his comment on the Kannada language. Kamal Haasan and his movie Thug Life sparked controversy in Karnataka after he reportedly stated that "Kannada is born out of Tamil" at the Chennai event. This led to protests outside the INOX cinema hall in Belagavi, Karnataka, organised by the Karnataka Rakshana Vedike group, which expressed anger and demanded an apology from the actor. On Wednesday, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah criticised Kamal Haasan's remarks, saying he was unaware of the 'long-standing' history of the Kannada language. "Kannada has a long-standing history. Poor Kamal Haasan, he is unaware of it," the Karnataka CM remarked.
NDTV
3 days ago
- Politics
- NDTV
New Role For Kamal Haasan? Actor-Politician Set For Rajya Sabha Bow
Quick Read Summary is AI generated, newsroom reviewed. Tamil actor-politician Kamal Haasan may soon become a Rajya Sabha MP, backed by the DMK, which had promised his MNM party a seat in exchange for support in the 2024 Lok Sabha election. Chennai: Tamil actor-politician Kamal Haasan could begin a new role soon - that of a Rajya Sabha MP backed by the state's ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam. The Makkal Needhi Maiam chief is due to meet Chief Minister and DMK boss MK Stalin at the ruling party's HQ in Chennai today. Kamal Haasan will be offered that Rajya Sabha seat in this meeting, NDTV has learned. The MNM and DMK are allies; the former backed the latter during the Lok Sabha election last year that saw the DMK-led bloc, which includes the Congress, win all 39 of the state's seats. DMK sources told NDTV this week Kamal Haasan had been promised a Rajya Sabha seat in return for his party's support. The MNM was founded in 2018. In 2019 the party named candidates for all 39 seats. It won zero but got 3.7 per cent of votes from seats it contested. On Wednesday sources confirmed the DMK had set aside one seat for the actor. READ | Kamal Haasan's Party Names Him For Rajya Sabha Per DMK Deal Six Rajya Sabha seats from Tamil Nadu fall vacant this month and the election to fill them will be held on June 19. At present the DMK holds three of those six. The fourth is held by arch-rivals All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, or AIADMK, and the other two by regional party leaders Anbumani Ramadoss of the PMK and Vaiko from the MDMK. Kamal Haasan launched the MNM in 2018 from Madurai as a party advocating transparency, governance reforms, and regional cooperation. The Rs 1,000 per month financial assistance for women implemented by this DMK government was one of the MNM's pre-poll promises. The actor's continued support for the DMK-led alliance will be important given Tamil Nadu holds an Assembly election next year. In 2021, the MNM contested 202 seats across Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. It did not win any but vote share in seats contested was 2.62 and 1.89 per cent.
