"Kamal Haasan stands firm, unwilling to offer an apology if perceived as incorrect in ongoing dispute over Kannada language comment."
Controversy Surrounds Kamal Haasan's Remark on Kannada Origins
Actor-politician Kamal Haasan Finds Himself in the Center of a Controversy after Stating that "Kannada is Born out of Tamil" during a promotional event for his latest film 'Thug Life' in Chennai. His statement provoked protests and threats of boycott from pro-Kannada groups, demanding an apology.
Haasan, who is the founder of Makkal Needhi Maiyam (MNM), has received backing from both the DMK and Congress. However, his recent remark has sparked anger in Karnataka, with groups strongly opposing his comment and filing a police complaint against him.
Responding to the controversy, Haasan said, "My love for Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Kerala is true. I've been threatened earlier too, and if I am wrong, I would apologize, if I'm not, I won't."
Historically, both Kannada and Tamil are Dravidian languages that share a common ancestry, but have distinct evolutionary paths. Tamil is considered one of the oldest Dravidian languages, evolving from its ancestor around 2500–1500 BCE and becoming distinct by 1000 BCE. Kannada, on the other hand, developed significantly later, with inscriptions dating back to the 5th century CE. Both languages have rich literary traditions and distinct characteristics.
In the aftermath of the controversy, a film association is considering the possible ban of Haasan's upcoming film "Thug Life," directed by Mani Ratnam. Protests against Haasan have been reported in various cities, including Belagavi, Mysuru, Hubballi, and Bengaluru. Activists have burnt Haasan's posters and threatened to block the screening of the film in Karnataka if he does not apologize.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah also criticized Haasan's remark, stating, "Kannada has a long-standing history. Poor Kamal Haasan, he is unaware of it." Meanwhile, the BJP demanded an apology from the actor-politician, accusing him of disrespecting the language.
Haasan, addressing the issue, said, "What I said, was said out of love. And a lot of historians have taught me language history and I did not mean anything." He further emphasized the welcoming nature of Tamil Nadu towards people from diverse backgrounds.
This is not the first time Haasan has caused controversy with his statements on politics and religion. In 2018, he was accused of blasphemy for his comment on the virgin birth of Lord Jesus, and in 2017, his controversial remark about Nathuram Godse, the assassin of Mahatma Gandhi, caused a stir. However, Haasan maintains that he is committed to promoting peace and harmony in society.
- Kamal Haasan
- Tamil
- Karnataka
- Dravidian Languages
- Historical Origins of Kannada and Tamil
Kamal Haasan's recent statement about the historical origins of Kannada and Tamil, two Dravidian languages, has sparked anger in Karnataka and led to protests, threats of boycott, and a potential film ban. Despite the controversy, Haasan has expressed his love for Karnataka and stressed that his comments were made out of love and with the input of historians.
