Kamal Haasan clarifies Kannada comment: It was a press release of love-OxBig News Network

Kamal Haasan at an occasion in Thiruvananthapuram on May 28, 2025.
| Photo Credit: PTI

Veteran star Kamal Haasan has responded to the controversy round his assertion on the Kannada language. The actor, whereas selling his upcoming film Thug Life, had stated that “Tamil gave birth to Kannada.” Kamal Haasan’s comment, made on the audio launch of the Mani Ratnam-directorial in Chennai, drew criticism from the individuals of Karnataka.

Pro-Kannada teams demanded an apology from Kamal Haasan at the same time as they held protests in Bengaluru and Belagavi in opposition to the actor for hurting the Kannada sentiments. Angry followers on social media threatened to boycott the film, set to launch on June 05, 2025. Addressing the row, Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah advised reporters that “Kannada language has a very long history…he (Kamal Haasan) doesn’t know.”

The BJP too joined the backlash, demanding an apology from the star. Karnataka BJP president B.Y. Vijayendra condemned Kamal Haasan’s remarks as “uncultured” and “insulting” to Kannada and its 6.5 crore audio system

Kamal Haasan, addressing the media in Thiruvananthapuram as a part of the movie’s promotions, stated individuals “have confused the issue.” “My statement was said out of love,” stated the National Award-winning actor.

He added that politicians “are not qualified to talk about it” (historical past of languages). “They don’t have the education to talk about it, including me. Let’s leave the discussions to historians, language experts, and archeologists. People will take care of Thug Life and Kamal Haasan,” he stated.

ALSO READ:Actor Kamal Haasan is not aware of Kannada’s ancient history: CM Siddaramaiah

Speaking about his controversial assertion, Kamal Haasan stated, “It was a statement of love to Mr Shivanna (Kannada star Shivarajkumar). His father (Dr Rajkumar) is like my father. We are a family, and so are the other languages.

“If you look at it from the Northern point of view, what they say is right. If you look at it from Thenkumari, then what I say is right. There is a third angle to it, that’s where the language experts come into play. They will say both the parties are right but ‘they must decide where they want to belong, with their family or with the languages that came from the North’. It’s up to the people. It’s a democratic country.”

The Nayakan actor referred to as Tamil Nadu an open state. “A Menon, a Reddy and a Kannadiga Iyengar hailing from Mandya have become chief ministers in Tamil Nadu. When there was a problem in Chennai, which came from that chief minister who hailed from Karnataka, it was Karnataka who gave me support. The Kannadigas said ‘come, we will give you a house. Don’t go anywhere’.”

He concluded his response by saying, “this is not an answer. It’s an explanation. Love will never apologise.” Thug Life additionally stars Trisha, Silambarasan TR, Ashok Selvan and Joju George. The film is produced by Kamal Haasan’s Raaj Kamal Films International and Mani Ratnam’s Madras Talkies.