Latest news with #RaajkamalFilmsInternational
Time of India
11 hours 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.
Time of India
11 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Kamal Haasan's ‘Thug Life' to not release in Karnataka as actor refuses to apologise. Controversy explained
Actor-politician Kamal Haasan has decided against releasing his upcoming film Thug Life in Karnataka, following backlash over his controversial remarks about the Kannada language. During a promotional event, Haasan had reportedly stated that 'Kannada is born out of Tamil,' a comment that sparked public outrage and demands for an apology. Appearing before the Karnataka High Court, Haasan's legal team informed the bench that there was 'nothing to apologise for.' Senior advocate Dhyan Chinappa, representing Raajkamal Films International, stated that the actor had no intention of insisting on a Karnataka release and preferred to engage in a dialogue with the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) first. 'He has said that art can wait, the release can wait in Karnataka,' Chinappa told the court. High Court Slams Haasan for Remarks The Karnataka High Court, led by Justice M Nagaprasanna, took strong exception to Haasan's comment and his refusal to apologise. 'Are you a historian or a linguist to make such a statement?' the judge asked, adding that no individual had the right to hurt public sentiments. The court stressed that language is an emotional and cultural identity and warned against undermining it. 'Discretion is the best part of valour,' the bench observed. The court also recalled a historical parallel, noting that in 1950, C Rajagopalachari had made a similar statement about Kannada's origin and later issued a public apology after being corrected by Kannada scholars. 'All that is required to be said is that I have hurt the sentiments,' Justice Nagaprasanna told Haasan's counsel. 'All's well that ends well.' KFCC Enforces Ban, Calls for Apology Following the controversy, the KFCC announced a ban on the release of Thug Life in Karnataka unless Haasan publicly apologised. Speaking to the media, KFCC representative Sa Ra Govindu reiterated the stance, stating, 'We will not allow the screening of Thug Life unless he apologises.' The move is supported by several Kannada organisations, including the Karnataka Rakshana Vedike. Karnataka's Minister for Kannada and Culture, Shivaraj Tangadagi, also voiced support for the ban and insisted that Haasan must apologise if he wanted his film to be shown in the state. Haasan Defends Remarks, Offers Explanation In a letter addressed to the KFCC, Haasan expressed his disappointment that his statement was misinterpreted. He wrote that his comments were rooted in affection, particularly for the family of late Kannada actor Dr Rajkumar, and were not intended to offend. Haasan added that he had a deep respect for Kannada and opposed the dominance of any single language in India. However, the letter did not include an apology. 'This is not an answer, this is an explanation. Love will never apologise,' Haasan later said, clarifying his position. Film's Release on Hold, Legal Proceedings Continue Raajkamal Films International filed a petition seeking police protection for the screening of Thug Life in Karnataka, anticipating protests. However, the court observed that Haasan himself had decided against releasing the film in the state unless there was constructive dialogue with the KFCC. The matter has been adjourned to June 10, with the court awaiting the outcome of the proposed discussions between the parties involved. 'The situation is triggered by the statement made at the audio launch of the movie. In light of the sentiments involved, we expect a resolution through mutual dialogue,' the court noted. About the Film Thug Life, directed by Mani Ratnam, stars Kamal Haasan alongside Trisha Krishnan and Silambarasan TR, with music composed by A.R. Rahman. The film, which reportedly has a budget of ₹300 crore, was set for a pan-India release on June 5. However, its fate in Karnataka remains uncertain amid the ongoing controversy.
The Hindu
12 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Apology does not make anyone smaller, former Karnataka CM tells Thug Life actor
Slamming actor Kamal Haasan for 'speaking insensitively' about the Kannada language, veteran BJP leader B. S. Yediyurappa said that he must respectfully apologise to Kannada and Kannadigas. The former Chief Minister said, 'Apologising does not make anyone smaller, nor does arrogance make anyone greater.' Actor-politician Haasan's recent statement claiming that 'Kannada was born out of Tamil' during a promotional event for his upcoming film Thug Life has sparked widespread outrage among pro-Kannada groups and cultural organisations. Taking to X, Yediyurappa posted: 'Kannada is truth, Kannada is eternal' is not just the rallying cry of Kannadigas, but it is also the pledge of Kannadigas towards mother Bhuvaneshwari, the deity of Kannada. 'Many senior linguistic experts have demonstrated that Kannada did not originate from any specific language. It is deeply regrettable and condemnable that artist Kamal Haasan, who is neither a historian nor a linguistic expert, has spoken insensitively about the Kannada language,' he added. 'His behaviour, which unnecessarily disrupts peace, harmony, and unity, is not right. In the fervour of expressing his opinion, he has hurt the sentiments of crores of Kannadigas, and he must respectfully apologise to Kannada and Kannadigas. Apologising does not make anyone smaller, nor does arrogance make anyone greater!' he said. Actor Kamal Haasan had declined to apologise, saying he believes in law and justice, and his love for Karnataka is genuine. Raajkamal Films International, Chennai, the producers of Kamal Haasan-starrer Thug Life, filed a petition before the Karnataka High Court on June 2, requesting protection to ensure the smooth release of the film in the State. The move came in response to the recent announcement of the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) that it would not permit screening of the film in Karnataka unless Kamal Haasan issues a public apology for his comment suggesting that 'Kannada evolved from Tamil'. The film is scheduled to hit theatres on June 5.
Hindustan Times
13 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Kamal Haasan refuses to apologise, won't release ‘Thug Life' in Karnataka for now
Actor Kamal Haasan told the Karnataka high court on Tuesday that he will not release his upcoming film Thug Life in Karnataka 'for now,' asserting that he had 'nothing to apologise for' amid a growing controversy over his remark that the Kannada language was 'born out of Tamil.' Haasan's counsel, senior advocate Dhyan Chinappa, informed a bench of Justice M. Nagaprasanna that the actor and his production company, Raajkamal Films International, had decided to withhold the film's release in the state at least until they engage in a 'dialogue' with the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC), which has demanded an apology and barred the film's screening in the state. The decision followed strong observations from the court, which said that Haasan might be a big star but had no right to hurt the sentiments of the people of Karnataka, who deserved an apology. The court also scheduled the next hearing in the matter for June 10. Chinappa said he had consulted Haasan, who believed that the written statement submitted to the KFCC on Tuesday morning, which conveyed his love and respect for the Kannada language and its people, was a sincere and adequate response to the controversy. He argued that Haasan should not be compelled to apologise in a prescribed format. 'Apology is required only if there is malice, and there is no malice here,' Chinappa submitted. He said Haasan's comments, made during the audio launch of Thug Life in Chennai on May 24, were not intended to undermine Kannada or its speakers and were expressed in a spirit of goodwill. 'He has expressed nothing but affection and admiration for the language and the state,' the counsel added. The court, however, expressed dissatisfaction with Haasan's refusal to apologise and questioned the absence of a simple gesture that could have 'defused the situation.' Quoting Shakespeare, justice Nagaprasanna remarked, 'Discretion is the better part of valour,' and urged Haasan to show humility. 'You are not an ordinary man. You are a public figure. You create a circumstance, you cause unrest, and now you want protection from the state machinery. This entire situation could have been solved with a simple apology,' said the judge while hearing the plea for police protection and directions against the KFCC's decision to block the film's release. The court viewed the video of Haasan's statement and asked why he was resisting an apology when he knew his remarks had 'undermined en masse' the sentiments of the people of Karnataka. 'You might be Kamal Haasan or anybody, but you cannot hurt the sentiments of the masses,' the court observed. 'In a country where language is an emotional issue, a public figure cannot make such sweeping statements. There is unrest and disharmony today because of what you said,' the court added. Justice Nagaprasanna also criticised the tone of Haasan's written statement, saying it read like a 'declaration of justification' rather than a genuine attempt to heal the situation. 'This is not an apology. There is not even a line that says, 'If I have hurt anyone's sentiments, I apologise.' Even C. Rajagopalachari made a similar remark 75 years ago and later apologised,' he said. Chinappa had argued that blocking the film's release infringed on the rights of those who wanted to watch it, but the court pushed back, saying fame cannot shield one from responsibility. 'You want police protection, but are unwilling to utter one word that could calm the unrest. You are sticking to your stand because of your ego,' Justice Nagaprasanna remarked. The matter has also taken on political undertones in Karnataka, with several Kannada groups and political commentators suggesting that the backlash is being encouraged by segments of the ruling establishment. Haasan through his counsel, hinted the same and said that the opposition to his film's release was being done probably because there was 'some support from the Karnataka government.' Chinappa cited a precedent from 2018 involving actor Rajinikanth, who had made remarks about the Cauvery water dispute before the release of his film Kaala. When the court pointed out that Rajinikanth had apologised, Chinappa noted that it came after he had been granted interim protection. He also made a plea for cultural unity, saying: 'All of us have to survive here. Linguistically we may be different, but we are all the same. We are all Indians.' The court acknowledged the sentiment but underlined the importance of choosing words wisely. 'There are many ways to clarify a mistake. But there is only one way to apologise,' the judge said. Granting the request for adjournment, the court concluded with a reiteration of its earlier advice: 'But even now, remember -- discretion is the better part of valour.' In its formal order, the court noted that Haasan's statement had 'stirred a hornet's nest' and created 'unrest among the people of Karnataka.' It issued notices to the state government and the KFCC and fixed the next hearing for June 10.
The Hindu
13 hours 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.
