Latest news with #Nela
Hans India
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hans India
A controversy that could well have been avoided
For reasons fair or foul, there have been many skirmishes and flashpoints between the two states of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka over nearly seven decades since both were carved out as independent states. While justifications from both sides abound for each of the incidents that stirred passions, created riotous situations and severely created law and order problems in both the neighbouring zones, there seems to be no stopping fresh troubles that seem to be breaking out ad nauseam. Ever since Tamil top star Kamal Haasan, known for his typical intellectual surmises on all things under the sun said 'Kannada is born out of Tamil' at a function in Chennai, it set off a furore in Karnataka. Like a typical cinema narrative, the usual villains did the usual things and kept the political temperature up. The hero, however, much like the film 'Thug Life' in which he is seen endorsing in many parts of the world, refused to accept that he had overstepped in this case and could have well been discreet with such matters in public domain. Quite clearly, all the players in this drama know that Haasan is using the oldest trick in the book of any publicity being good publicity in the cinema circles. With Tamil cinema market being the biggest across south India, with almost all states running its films in many prominent cities of the peninsula, it is incomprehensible why the Chennai actor refused to see reason. The latest is that the film is not likely to get a release in Karnataka, the biggest market after Tamil Nadu. Haasan has informed the High Court that he would not release his film on the earlier announced date for his Kannada fans to watch him in action. Interestingly, what Judge Nagaprasanna said, while adjourning the case, deserves mention. As a news agency report wrote: 'The judge further questioned Haasan's authority to make such claims, asking, 'Are you a historian or a linguist to make such a statement? No language is born out of another.' He added, 'A single apology could have resolved the situation.' Justice Nagaprasanna stressed the importance of respecting cultural sensitivities and remarked, 'Water, land, and language — Jala, Nela, Bashe — are sacred to the people'. Adding further, the judge had pointed out that an illustrious person like C. Rajagopalachari had issued a similar statement in 1950 about the origins of the Kannada language and later apologised following protests, even though there was no commercial motive. 'If such a big person can apologise, and a similar statement has been issued after 75 years, and there is a commercial motive...' the court observed. Surely, the matter is not going to end here. If Haasan has won the battle for the moment, by the time the case comes up for hearing again a week from now, the public would know who has won the war. Not to be missed is the cool-headed handling of the controversy by the Congress government, which has flayed the hero for his observations, but in an even-tempered tone kept the socio- political pot from boiling over. After all, there is a hyperactive BJP waiting and watching.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
'Freedom of expression cannot be stretched to hurt sentiments': Kamal Haasan faces court heat; Top quotes
Kamal Haasan NEW DELHI: The Karnataka high court on Tuesday adjourned the hearing in a petition filed by Raajkamal Films International—producers of the Kamal Haasan-starrer 'Thug Life,' seeking police protection for the film's release in the state. The film landed in controversy after Kamal Haasan's remark that "Kannada is born out of Tamil." The hearing, which witnessed strong remarks from Justice M Nagaprasanna, has now been posted for June 10. This came after the court was informed that Kamal Haasan had written to the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC), saying that the film will not release in the state until the ongoing dispute is resolved through dialogue. Here are the top quotes: Justice M Nagaprasanna minced no words while addressing the controversy triggered by Haasan's 'Kannada is born out of Tamil' comment. Drawing historical parallels, he asked why Haasan couldn't issue an apology, pointing out that even prominent leaders and film icons had done so in the past. "You (Kamal Haasan) have no right to hurt the sentiments. In this country, Jala (water), Nela (land), and Bhashe (language) are dear to people. What did the people of Karnataka ask for? An apology? There is no apology or an explanation. It is all a circumstance created by Kamal Haasan," the judge told the counsel for the petitioner. Justice Nagaprasanna invoked the example of C Rajagopalachari, who had made a contentious statement in 1950 but later publicly apologised. He questioned Kamal Haasan's reluctance to take similar responsibility. "Are you a historian, a linguist? On what basis did you speak? If Rajagopalachari could tender a public apology 75 years ago, why can't you (Kamal Haasan)? For your commercial interest, you have approached this court seeking police protection for a situation created by you," he said. The judge emphasised the emotional and cultural significance of language, particularly Kannada, and cautioned against the misuse of freedom of expression. "Language is a sentiment attached to the land of people. Kannada is a strong language and doesn't wither by such statements. Freedom of expression cannot be stretched to hurt sentiments," he added. In a pointed comparison, Justice Nagaprasanna recalled how actor Rajinikanth had issued a public apology during the release of Kaala over his remarks on the Cauvery water issue. Kamal Haasan's clarification Responding to the backlash, Kamal Haasan sent a letter to the KFCC, clarifying that his remarks were misconstrued and meant as a tribute to Kannada cinema icon Dr Rajkumar's family. "It pains me that my statement at the Thug Life audio launch – spoken out of genuine affection for the legendary Dr. Rajkumar's family – has been misunderstood and taken out of context," he wrote. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Đăng ký Undo Haasan asserted his respect for the Kannada language and reiterated his belief in unity through cinema. "Like Tamil, Kannada has a proud literary and cultural tradition that I have long admired. My bond with Tamil, Kannada, Telugu, Malayalam – and all languages of this land – is abiding and heartfelt." Haasan further added that cinema speaks a 'universal language' rooted in love and bonding, expressing regret that his colleague Shiva Rajkumar had to face embarrassment due to the controversy.
Scroll.in
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scroll.in
Karnataka HC urges Kamal Haasan to apologise for ‘Kannada is born out of Tamil' remark
The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday verbally urged actor and politician Kamal Haasan to apologise for having said recently that Kannada 'is born out of Tamil', Live Law reported. 'You may be Kamal Haasan or anybody, you cannot hurt the sentiments of the masses,' the court said. Haasan made the remarks on May 24 at the audio launch for the Tamil film Thug Life in Chennai, after which pro-Kannada organisations held protests demanding that he should apologise for them. The Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce warned that the release of Thug Life would be blocked unless Haasan issued a formal apology for his statement. In this backdrop, the film's production house Raajkamal Films International moved the High Court seeking directions to ensure its release. However, Justice M Nagaprasanna, who heard the case on Tuesday, said that the actor's statements had caused 'unrest and disharmony' in Karnataka, Live Law reported. 'There are three things people are very emotional to, that is Nela, Jala and Bhashe, [land, water and language]... All these three things are important to any citizens,' The Hindu quoted the court as observing orally. 'You know division of this country is on linguistic lines. The states are formed on linguistic lines. So you [Haasan] Haasan] know importance of language.' The judge said the actor could have resolved the issue with a simple apology. The High Court also recalled that former Governor General of India C Rajagopalachari had apologised for making a similar statement in the 1950s, and asked why Haasan could not do the same. Haasan's remarks At the audio launch in Chennai on May 24, Haasan described his bond with the Tamil language with the words: ' Uyire Urave Tamizhe [My life and my family is Tamil].' He addressed Kannada actor Shivarajkumar, who was at the event, and said: 'Actor Shivarajkumar is my family living in another state… Your language was born out of Tamil. So, you are included in that line.' The actor's remarks sparked a furore in Karnataka, with pro-Kannada group Karnataka Rakshana Vedike threatening to boycott his film. Members of the group tore posters of the film Thug Life in Bengaluru to protest the actor-politician's remarks. Other pro-Kannada organisations also staged protests in Bengaluru, Belagavi, Hubballi and Mysuru, demanding an apology from the actor. On May 28, Haasan sought to clarify his remarks and said: 'I think what I said was said with a lot of love. Historians have taught me the language's history… I didn't mean anything.' The film, directed by Mani Ratnam, is scheduled to be released on June 5. Among its producers is Red Giant Movies, a company owned by Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam leader Udhayanidhi Stalin. The film has been dubbed in several languages, including Kannada.
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Kamal Haasan will not apologise for controversial remark on Kannada
Tamil movie Thug Life will not be released in Karnataka as part of its worldwide launch on June 5, as actor Kamal Haasan chose not to tender an apology for his statement that 'Kannada is born out of Tamil' despite a suggestion made in this regard by the High Court of Karnataka to put an end to the controversy. Raajkamal Films International (of which Mr. Haasan is a director), which has filed the petition seeking police protection for release of the movie due to opposition from pro-Kannada organisation and Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC), has said that it is not willing to screen the movie in Karnataka unless an encouraging dialogue takes place with KFCC. The KFCC had demanded actor's apology for 'undermining the sentiments of people of Karnataka' for his controversial statement and Mr. Haasan on June 3 had written a letter to KFCC stating that his statement on Kannada during recent launch of movie's audio was made 'out of genuine affection for the legendary Dr. Rajkumar... and his words were intended only to convey that we are all one and from the same family and not to diminish Kannada in any way...' Recording the statement made by petitioner that it does not intend to release the movie on June 5 in Karnataka, Justice M. Nagaprasanna adjourned further hearing on the petition till June 10. The petitioner made it clear to the Court that it is not intended to release the movie in Karnataka till the dialogue takes places with KFCC to resolve the issue. Rajagopalachari's gesture Earlier in the morning session, Court had said that why can't the actor end the controversy by apologising for his remark when the then Governor-General of India Chakravarthi Rajagopalachari had apologised for making a similar statement in 1950s. 'When persons like Rajagopalacharari can apologise why can't Kamala Haasan,' the Court had asked advocate representing Raajkamal Films International, 'You may be Kamal Hassan... but any citizen has no right to hurt sentiments of masses. Three are three things people are very emotional to, that is Nela, Jala and Bhashe, (land, water and language)... All these three things are important to any citizens. You know the states are formed on linguistic lines. So you [Mr. Haasan] know importance of language,' the Court observed orally. The Court had also orally observed that 'a public figure like Mr. Haasan makes a public statement on public forum that a language is born out of another language when no language can be born out of any other language... Where is the material to support it. And what has happened because of that statement is unrest, disharmony.... What did people of Karnataka asked. An apology. Now you have come up before the court seeking police protection for the circumstance created by you. Have people of Karnataka created this circumstance'. When Court asked the advocate whether Mr. Haasan is a historian or a linguistic, the advocate clarified that that actor has already clarified that he not. To this, the Court asked that then on what basis Mr. Haasan made the statement that means that 'Tamil is mother of Kannada.' Justice Nagaprasanna pointed out to Mr. Haasan's advocate that Mr. Rajagopalachari, in response to a letter written by Kannada writers, had sent an apology in writing for making statement that 'Kannada is evolved out of Tamil.' 'One apology [by Mr. Haasan] would have solved everything,' the Court said while pointing out that Mr. Haasan is before this Court to protect his commercial interest. '...for your own creation [of problem] you want the state police machinery to support you now. We are not on this group and that group. The language is a sentiment attached to land of particular people. You said some thing that would undermine, the Court observed When Mr. Hassan's advocate asked whether actor's statement 'undermines Kannada,' the Court said, 'Yes it does.' 'You cannot say that Kannada language is so strong that it would not wither away with such things all different thing. You are not an ordinary man. You are a public figure. Ordinary people now tweeting or doing anything on social media are also considered as mistake and crimes are registered left, right and centre. And now on a public forum and a public figure speaks like this...,' the Court said. 'Freedom of expression cannot be stretched to hurting some one's sentiments, particularly of a mass,' the Court said while pointing out that Response In response to court's suggestion made in the morning, Mr. Chinnappa said that he spoke to Mr. Haasan and the actor made it clear that he had already communicated to the KFCC that his intention is not diminish Kannada anyway. When the Court asked why the actor did not add one sentence in this letter, Mr. Chinnappa said 'an apology is required where there is malice' while stating that Mr. Haasan had no ill intention when he made the statement about Kannada. When the Court termed actor's response is nothing but 'ego,' the advocate said it is not ego while stating that the petitioner is not insisting release movie in Karnataka at present and seeking postponement of hearing on the petition.
Indian Express
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
‘All's well that ends well': Karnataka HC nudges Kamal Haasan to express regret over Tamil-Kannada remarks
The Karnataka High Court Tuesday suggested that film actor Kamal Haasan should express regret if sentiments of people in Karnataka had been hurt by his recent remarks on the origin of the Kannada language during the audio release of his new film, Thug Life, which is scheduled for release on June 5. A single-judge bench of the Karnataka HC suggested this while hearing a plea filed by Raajkamal Film Ventures, the film production house run by Kamal Haasan, for police protection for the release of Thug Life in Karnataka, where Kannada activists and the Kannada and Culture Minister Shivaraj Tangadagi have sought an apology from the actor. The plea hearing was passed over to the afternoon session after the counsel for the production house sought time to place the High Court's suggestion before the actor-producer. With Senior Advocate Dhyan Chinappa representing the petitioner, the bench raised several questions regarding the actor's statement and whether he would apologise. Chinappa stated, 'Quite clearly, the release of the movie cannot be stopped… Neither KFCC nor the Karnataka Government can stop it. Another superstar of Kannada cinema, Mr Shiv Rajkumar, was present in the audience, and a statement was made welcoming him… That statement can't be taken outside as if there was some intention to say something against Kannada.' Noting that the reply made by Kamal Haasan afterwards (also submitted in the court) was not an apology, the bench observed, 'A citizen has no right to hurt the sentiments of the masses. People are very emotional about three things – Jala, Nela, and Bhashe (water, land, and language)… The division of the country into states was on linguistic lines. If a public figure makes a statement… What has happened because of that? Unrest, disharmony… What did the people of Karnataka ask – to apologise. Now, you have come before this court seeking police protection in the circumstances created by you.' During the argument, Justice M Nagaprasanna said the last Governor General of India, C Rajagopalachari, remarked in 1950 that Kannada was born out of Tamil, but later apologised after being corrected by Kannada writers. 'It may not be drastically wrong. But what is it that is making you stick to your guns, saying that I will not utter a word of apology? All that is required to be said is that I have hurt the sentiments. All's well that ends well,' Justice Nagaprasanna said to the counsel for Kamal Haasan. 'Now you want your film to run smoothly in a state where sentiments are hurt. If you are not so bothered, why do you want the film to run in Karnataka – leave it. Fundamental right of speech, freedom of expression are alright, but freedom of expression cannot be stretched to the extent of hurting someone's sentiments, of the mass in particular,' Justice Nagaprasanna said. 'All he needs to say is the context in which he has spoken, and that it is not to hurt anyone's statements and if it has … Discretion is the best part of valour. That is all there is. We will not let the sentiments of anyone be taken for a ride like this by a public figure in a public forum. Mistakes happen, and we are not here for confessions. When mistakes happen, you should know what to do,' Justice Nagaprasanna said. The counsel for Kamal Haasan argued that Haasan's statement was taken out of context. 'It was not a seminar on Kannada on Tamil language. It was taken out of context. Our intention is to defuse the situation,' the counsel said. 'I am only saying that a person creates a circumstance, and the circumstance only results in disharmony and likely unrest. If you are aware of the consequences, then you should say it. He is also a citizen of the nation. You are letting it go beyond control, and it is your film,' Justice Nagaprasanna pointed out. 'The division of this country was on linguistic lines. So, language is important. In terms of law, we will consider. That is a different thing. But, no person can undermine the sentiment of the people of Karnataka as you have done now, saying your language is born to that or Tamil language is the mother of Kannada language. On what basis? Are you a historian or are you a linguist?' asked Justice Nagaprasanna. 'It is in the public domain that C Rajagopalachari in 1950 made a similar sort of statement. At that time, Hampanna wrote a letter to C Rajagopalachari, and he immediately issued a public apology that his statement was wrong. Now, 75 years later, the same statement is made. C Rajagopalachari had apologised,' Justice Nagaprasanna stated. 'I saw a paragraph here saying that for the first time, so many things are happening. A ₹ 300 crore film has been made, and that after Nayakan, this is the first movie of Manirathnam and Kamal Haasan together. You know the importance, but cannot make a statement,' he said. The producers of Thug Life moved the Karnataka High Court, seeking protection to ensure the smooth release of the film in the state after the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce stated that the film would not be allowed a release in the state until Kamal Haasan apologises for a statement he made about Kannada. In the writ petition filed before the high court, Raaj Kamal Films International said the comment was only made to express cultural solidarity, and had been selectively quoted afterwards. It also expressed apprehension that the police were unlikely to extend protection to those associated with the film, and the audience upon release. The petition submitted that the film had obtained the relevant certifications and any ban on it would interfere with the fundamental right 'to carry on…business' under Article 19 of the Constitution as well as the rights of the audience to watch the film. Once the certification from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) was obtained, the petitioner would be entitled to peacefully exhibit the film, and any steps taken to obstruct the release would be illegal and a challenge to CBFC's authority. It also stated that a ban on the film would cause crores in loss, and that irreparable harm might occur if interim relief was not granted to Raaj Kamal Films in the matter. The petition requested that the court issue a writ of mandamus restraining any measures against the film's release. The plea also sought a direction to the state police to provide security to those associated with the film, the audience, and film exhibits on the day of release and subsequent screening. It requested that the KFCC be restrained from giving any orders related to a ban on the release of Thug Life in Karnataka. Earlier, after pro-Kannada organisations staged protests in cities including Bengaluru, Belagavi, Hubballi, and Mysuru, demanding an apology, Haasan clarified in Chennai that his remarks stemmed from 'love' for the language. 'I think what I said was said with a lot of love. Historians have taught me the language's history… I didn't mean anything,' he said. Karnataka Minister for Kannada and Culture Tangadagi wrote to the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce on May 29, urging that all films featuring Haasan be banned in Karnataka if he failed to apologise. 'Despite the actor's stature, the people of Karnataka cannot tolerate his remarks on their land, water, and language,' Tangadagi said. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah also weighed in, asserting that Kannada has a long and well-documented history. 'Poor Kamal Haasan, he is simply unaware of it,' he remarked. Karnataka BJP state president B Y Vijayendra accused Haasan of 'disrespecting Kannada to glorify his own mother tongue,' calling for an unconditional apology. 'Artists should embody the culture of respecting all languages,' he posted on social media.
