Premium

Kamal Haasan clarifies Tamil-Kannada remark, says politicians ‘unqualified’ to talk about language: ‘Leave all these to historians’

After the backlash for his Tamil-Kannada remark, Kamal Haasan has now issued a clarification, stating that his words were “said out of love.”

KFCC bans Kamal Haasan's film Thug Life. (Courtesy: Madras Talkies/X)

Kamal Haasan’s remark — “Kannada was born out of Tamil” — has stirred controversy, drawing sharp criticism from both politicians and the general public. The statement ignited debates over linguistic identity. After the backlash, the veteran actor-filmmaker has now issued a clarification, stating that his words were “said out of love.” He also hit back at his critics, calling politicians “unqualified to talk about languages.”

Haasan said, “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. Politicians are not qualified to talk about language. They don’t have the education enough to talk about it. That includes me. So let’s leave all these very in depth discussions to historians, archaeologists and language experts. We are a family and so are the languages.”

He added, “If you look at it from the northern point of view. Yes. What they say according to them is right. If you look at it from Kanyakumari then what I say is right. There’s a third angle to it also… The scholars and language experts they will say both are right.”

Story continues below this ad

The controversy escalated rapidly, with Kamal Haasan’s posters being burnt and calls for a boycott of his upcoming film Thug Life, which is directed by acclaimed filmmaker Mani Ratnam, in Karnataka. The political backlash has intensified, with discussions of a possible ban on the film’s release in Karnataka.

Also read | Will Aryan Khan’s show The Ba***ds of Bollywood be to India what Seth Rogen’s The Studio is to Hollywood?

Following Haasan’s statement, Karnataka’s Kannada and Culture Minister, Shivaraja Tangadagi, demanded an apology from the actor. “If he doesn’t apologise, we will write to the Kannada Film Chambers to ban his new movie in Karnataka. There is no compromise when it is about state or language,” he said.

The Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (KRV), a prominent pro-Kannada organization, also issued a stern warning to Haasan. “He must apologise unconditionally for insulting our language. Until then, we will not allow his films to be screened in Karnataka,” said KRV leader T. A. Narayana Gowda.

“This isn’t just about one careless remark. It’s about respecting Kannada’s identity and the sentiments of Kannadigas. Haasan should correct his statement and refrain from making further comments about Kannada,” Gowda added.

Click here to follow Screen Digital on YouTube and stay updated with the latest from the world of cinema.

Tags:
Kamal Haasan

‘You don’t see encroachment elsewhere? Why only mazars?’: Delhi HC questions NGO

Cities3 hr ago

Delhi High Court questions the bonafide of NGO Save India Foundation for selectively seeking removal of dargahs and mazars on Yamuna floodplains. The PIL highlights four unauthorised encroachments and alleges that land mafia has taken over government land through religious structures.

View all shorts

More Entertainment

Entertainment 'The Kapoors would laugh at us, but watched our films': Bollywood's 'other' film family also came from Pak, attained 'sleazy' success