Latest news with #MakkalNeedhiMaiam
Time of India
14 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.
The Star
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Star
Kannada originated from Tamil: Actor-turned-politician Kamal Haasan's remarks irk Congress, BJP
Kamal Hassan - Photo: IANS CHENNAI (India): Actor-turned-politician and Makkal Needhi Maiam chief Kamal Haasan's recent remark that Kannada originated from Tamil has sparked a massive political row with both the Congress-led Karnataka government and the Opposition BJP slamming the actor for undermining the state's language and cultural identity. Speaking at an event in Chennai, Haasan claimed that Kannada originated from Tamil. His remark didn't go down well with the Karnataka leaders, who took strong exception to his statement. Reacting to his remark, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah said that Kamal Haasan is not aware of the history of Kannada. 'Kannada has a long-standing history. Poor Kamal Haasan, he is unaware of it,' he said. Congress leader Rizwan Arshad criticised the Makkal Needhi Maiam chief for triggering an unnecessary language debate, stating that both Kannada and Tamil are ancient languages. 'What kind of a debate is this? Kannada and Tamil are ancient languages and part of our country's foundation. Is this debate necessary at a time when all of us have to be united? I did not expect Kamal Haasan to make such a statement. It is unfortunate,' he said. The Opposition BJP also slammed the actor-politician and demanded an explanation. 'Kamal Haasan always tries to act very smart. You should not belittle any language to praise your own language. From where did Kamal Haasan learn that Kannada is born from Tamil?' asked Tamil Nadu BJP vice president Narayanan Thirupathy. 'A celebrity like him should be more responsible because of his societal stature. He should tell where he learned all this from. Is there any document that says this? He can not try to escape from what he said. Kamal Haasan owes an explanation,' he added. Separately, The Statesman reported that actor Kamal Haasan's upcoming film, Thug Life, is facing trouble in Karnataka after the actor's recent remark on the Kannada language sparked anger among local groups, including the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC), which has banned the film's release until the actor issues a public apology. While speaking to ANI, KFCC president M. Narasimhalu said that people in Karnataka are upset with Haasan for his comment that 'Kannada is born out of Tamil,' which he reportedly made during a promotional event in Chennai. Narasimhalu added that if the actor does not 'apologise' before the movie's slated release, it will not be allowed to screen in Karnataka. '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…' he said. The controversy has led to several protests in Karnataka by the Karnataka Rakshana Vedike and other Kannada organisations. In response to the growing backlash, Hassan stood by his statement, saying he believes in law and democracy. Terming India a 'democratic country,' the actor stated that he wouldn't 'apologise' to anyone for his actions if he is 'not wrong.' Pro-Kannada organisations have demanded a public apology from him for allegedly hurting the sentiments of Kannada people. Speaking to media personnel outside the DMK party headquarters in Chennai on Friday, Haasan said, 'It is a democracy. I believe in law and justice. My love for Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Kerala is genuine. Nobody will doubt 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.' Thug Life is directed by Mani Ratnam and stars Kamal Haasan, Trisha Krishnan, and Silambarasan TR in the lead roles. - The Statesman/ANN
Indian Express
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Kamal Haasan: ‘My love for Karnataka is true, won't apologise'
Actor-politician Kamal Haasan, who stoked a controversy by his 'Kannada was born out of Tamil remark,' on Friday yet again declined to apologise and said he believed in law and justice and his love for Karnataka was true. He claimed that the alleged warning by pro-Kannada groups threatening to boycott his film if does not apologise for his remark, was not new and that he has been threatened in the past. Also Read | Kamal Haasan clarifies Tamil-Kannada remark, says politicians 'unqualified' to talk about language: 'Leave all these to historians' 'This is a democratic country. I believe in law and justice. I believe love will always triumph. My love for Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Kerala is true. Nobody will suspect it except those who have an agenda. I have been threatened before. If I am wrong, I will apologise. If I am not, then I won't,' Haasan told reporters outside Anna Arivalayam, the DMK state headquarters, here. The 70-year-old leader, who heads the Makkal Needhi Maiam party, called on Chief Minister M K Stalin and said the meeting was related to preparatory work for the Rajya Sabha election. The DMK has given him a RS seat. The veteran actor stoked a controversy during the audio launch event for his film Thug Life in Chennai, by remarking that Kannada was born out of Tamil. Also Read | Shiva Rajkumar defends Kamal Haasan after 'Kannada was born out of Tamil' remark: 'He has always spoken highly of language' Also Read | Kannada wasn't 'born' from Tamil. The truth is much more interesting The Kannada Film Chamber of Commerce has threatened to ban his upcoming film if he did not tender an apology. His remark also drew sharp protest in Karnataka.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
'My love for Karnataka is true, won't apologise,' says Kamal Haasan
Actor-politician Kamal Haasan , who stoked a controversy by his "Kannada was born out of Tamil remark," on Friday yet again declined to apologise and said he believed in law and justice and his love for Karnataka was true. He claimed that the alleged warning by pro-Kannada groups threatening to boycott his film if does not apologise for his remark, was not new and that he has been threatened in the past. "This is a democratic country. I believe in law and justice. I believe love will always triumph. My love for Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Kerala is true. Nobody will suspect it except those who have an agenda. I have been threatened before. If I am wrong, I will apologise. If I am not, then I won't," Haasan told reporters outside Anna Arivalayam, the DMK state headquarters, here. The 70-year-old leader, who heads the Makkal Needhi Maiam party, called on Chief Minister M K Stalin and said the meeting was related to preparatory work for the Rajya Sabha election . The DMK has given him a RS seat. The veteran actor stoked a controversy during the audio launch event for his film ' Thug Life ' in Chennai, by remarking that Kannada was born out of Tamil. The Kannada Film Chamber of Commerce has threatened to ban his upcoming film if he did not tender an apology. His remark also drew sharp protest in Karnataka. PTI
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.
