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Time of India
30-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
South Indian Artistes' Association supports Kamal Haasan amid Kannada language controversy: ‘He was among the first to speak out when Dr Rajkumar was abducted'
In the wake of the growing controversy surrounding actor Kamal Haasan 's recent 'Tamil-Kannada' remark, the South Indian Artistes' Association (SIAA) has stepped forward with a firm appeal to the Karnataka government, the Kannada film fraternity, and the public, urging them to view the comments in the right context rather than react impulsively. 04:34 'Won't Apologise If Not Wrong': Kamal Haasan on Kannada Row | Thug Life Film Sparks Controversy SIAA's statement The SIAA expressed concern that the outrage directed at Haasan could lead to a 'dark precedent' affecting artistic freedom and public discourse. The association underlined that twisting the words of a veteran actor known for advocating regional harmony would be a disservice not only to him but also to the broader cultural ethos. The statement recalled his friendship with iconic figures such as Dr Rajkumar and Girish Karnad. 'When the legendary Dr Rajkumar was abducted, Kamal Haasan was among the first voices to speak out and call for his release. He has always considered Dr Rajkumar a brother and holds Dr Shivarajkumar in the regard of a son,' it read. The association condemned efforts to brand Haasan as anti-Kannada, describing such narratives as 'entirely unacceptable' and devoid of rational perspective. 'Kamal Haasan is a legendary artist who has transcended the barriers of caste, religion, race, and language to dedicate his life to the service of art. To question his integrity is to insult decades of cultural unity and artistic excellence,' the letter concluded. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với sàn môi giới tin cậy IC Markets Tìm hiểu thêm Undo Kamal Haasan's reaction to the 'Thug Life' ban Amidst the backlash, Kamal was earlier asked to apologise for his remark by the KFCC, which also stated that they would impose an airport ban on his upcoming movie 'Thug Life' in the region. Kamal addressed the media in Chennai and stated, "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." Kamal Haasan's 'Thug Life', directed by Mani Ratnam , is all set to hit theatres on June 5. Check out our list of the latest Hindi , English , Tamil , Telugu , Malayalam , and Kannada movies . Don't miss our picks for the best Hindi movies , best Tamil movies, and best Telugu films .
India Today
30-05-2025
- Entertainment
- India Today
South Indian Artistes Association backs Kamal Haasan amid Kannada language row
The South Indian Artistes Association (SIAA) has issued a strong statement in support of veteran actor Kamal Haasan, urging the Karnataka government, the people of Karnataka, and the Kannada film industry to understand the true intent behind his recent remarks, which have sparked its statement, the SIAA warned that the current backlash against Kamal Haasan could set a 'dark precedent' in the world of cinema and public discourse. The association emphasised that misrepresenting a renowned and respected figure like Kamal Haasan—who has consistently promoted unity across regional and linguistic lines—amounts to a grave letter highlighted Kamal Haasan's longstanding friendship with legendary Kannada actor Dr Rajkumar and playwright and actor Girish Karnad, as well as his deep appreciation for literature and cultural expression across all languages. It also recalled Kamal's unwavering support during a critical moment in Karnataka's history.'When the legendary Dr Rajkumar was abducted, Kamal Haasan was among the first voices to speak out and call for his release,' the statement read. 'He has always considered Dr Rajkumar as a brother and holds Dr Shivarajkumar in the regard of a son.'Here's the statement issued by SIAA: The association strongly condemned the portrayal of Kamal Haasan as being anti-Kannada, calling such slander 'entirely unacceptable.' It added that no individual with 'awareness and rationality' could justify such a campaign against an artist of his Haasan is a legendary artist who has transcended the barriers of caste, religion, race, and language to dedicate his life to the service of art. To question his integrity is to insult decades of cultural unity and artistic excellence,' the letter statement has drawn support from many across the southern film industries, as calls for mature and respectful dialogue continue to grow in the wake of the has refused to apologise. Speaking to the media in Chennai on Friday, he said, "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."Meanwhile, Kamal Haasan's upcoming film, 'Thug Life', has been banned by the Karnataka Film In You May Also Like IN THIS STORY#Kamal Haasan
ABC News
16-05-2025
- Business
- ABC News
Regional rocket launch delayed but experts say there are opportunities for Australia in the space race
Since the 1960s Australia has played a pivotal role in history's biggest space missions, not least in helping NASA bring live television images of the first moonwalk to the world. But our own space industry has never really achieved orbit. While Australia has a long history of supporting space exploration, we've struggled to establish our own industry due to a lack of sustained investment and clear national strategy, according to Swinburne University's Dr Rebecca Allen. "Back in the days of the space race, there was a political motivation to be the first ones on the moon and show that we could beat the Soviets," Dr Allen says. "Playing this kind of supporting role made sense because of where we are. Gilmour Space Technologies has that motivation — but suffered from a failure to launch this week. The company's Eris rocket launch was canned twice due to technical issues and a third attempt has been set for next month. Dr Allen says the launch of Eris — whether or not it makes it into orbit — shows Australia can stand on its own two feet when it comes to designing and building rockets. "We have real expertise in designing and manufacturing aerospace vehicles and I think it's a chance to demonstrate that Australia is not just a supporting player," she says. The Space Industry Association of Australia (SIAA) is the peak body for the sector and says the global space economy is projected to reach $US1.8 trillion by 2035. But chief executive Dan Lloyd says Australia remains a "customer" of global space technology, while its peers have developed clear and ambitious policies. "Our geography is an amazing natural advantage, and we need to make sure that we capture an opportunity that's bigger than just renting our dirt," he says. Mr Lloyd says Eris is a major milestone for Australia's space industry and an opportunity to develop an ambitious and future-focused space policy. "The industry is building to a critical mass," he said. Beyond economic opportunities, Mr Lloyd says the growing number and severity of natural disasters shows a real need to develop our own capabilities. "Other countries that have significant investments and presence in space can get live satellite feeds and predictive monitoring that help to anticipate and manage bushfires," he said. Australia mostly borrows and buys this service from overseas, which can create a real problem during times of natural disaster, according to Mr Lloyd. "There have been situations where Australia really needed live feeds of significant bushfires, but our international partners had challenges of their own and had to divert resources," he says. In an era of increasing global instability, Mr Lloyd says it's important that Australia works to "fill those gaps". Enrico Palermo, the head of the Australian Space Agency, said in a statement that the group was focused on "creating the right conditions" for the local space industry. "This includes streamlining regulation, as well as agreements that open international investment opportunities like the Technology Safeguards Agreement with the United States," Mr Palermo said. That agreement allows US space technology to be launched from Australia, a move aimed at making the region more attractive for launching rockets and satellites. There are around 10,000 active satellites in orbit but, less than a decade ago, there was only a fifth of that. Billionaire Elon Musk's Starlink network accounts for more than 7,000 of those satellites — forming a "constellation" with the aim of providing global mobile broadband. Companies like Amazon are planning their own satellite constellations, and China is aiming to send tens of thousands of satellites into orbit over the next decade. Mr Lloyd says the growing amount of "space junk" circling the planet is a huge challenge that no one has a good solution for. But that challenge also represents opportunity. "There are phenomenal Australian companies in research and development looking at harvesting space junk and potentially recycling it to use the conductive metals as new forms of propulsion in space," Mr Lloyd says. Mr Lloyd says Australia should focus on niche parts of the industry, like space junk harvesting, to differentiate itself from other countries.
