Amid a growing controversy over his recent remarks about the Kannada language, actor Kamal Haasan has refused to apologise and stated that his upcoming film Thug Life will not be released in Karnataka for the time being. His comments, made during a promotional event last month, have sparked widespread backlash.
In contrast, an old video of KGF star Yash has resurfaced and gone viral. In the clip, Yash speaks about unity and cultural harmony, quoting the ancient Indian philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam—“The world is one family.” He says:
“This is our Indian culture. A very long time ago, we has said that the world is one family—Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam. So we are all the same. We may speak different languages and follow different customs, but at the end of the day, we’re all human beings living under one huge fantastic country. So it feel good. To say the truth, it genuinely feels like home wherever I go, and that’s not just a punchline. Everywhere they receive me that way and give immense respect. This is what this country needs.”
Kamal Hassan can never understand this, reason why Yash achieved what KH can not even after being in the industry for 50 years… pic.twitter.com/L2VHucwbu3
— Vishwatma 🇮🇳 ( மோடியின் குடும்பம் ) (@HLKodo) June 3, 2025
Yash’s remarks have been praised for their inclusiveness, with many online users and critics drawing comparisons between his humility and Kamal Haasan’s ego. Critics argue that Haasan, despite over five decades in cinema, has failed to embrace such unity. His statement claiming that “Kannada originated from Tamil” has particularly offended many Kannadigas, who view it as sentimentally disrespectful.
Haasan is now being criticized for letting his Dravidian ideological leanings cloud his judgment, with detractors accusing him of insensitivity and arrogance. Many believe that such “loose talk,” as it’s been called online, only deepens regional divides rather than promoting the cultural respect a country as diverse as India requires.
Karnataka HC Criticizes Kamal Haasan Over Controversial Language Remark, Film Release Delayed
Kamal Haasan’s production house informed the Karnataka High Court on 3 June that there was no need for an apology, and that a written explanation had already been submitted in response to the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce’s (KFCC) demand.
The Karnataka High Court, however, strongly criticized the actor-politician for his recent controversial statement during a promotional event, where he claimed that the Kannada language originated from Tamil. The court remarked that Haasan’s comment had stirred public unrest in Karnataka and provoked widespread backlash.
Emphasizing national unity amid linguistic diversity, the bench stated, “There may be many languages in India, but the country remains one.”
Haasan approached the court seeking clearance for the release of his upcoming film Thug Life in Karnataka. During the hearing, the court granted him time until 2:30 PM on 2 June to “make amends,” stressing that fame does not give anyone the right to offend public sentiment.
“You may be Kamal Haasan, You may be anybody, but that doesn’t allow you to hurt the feelings of the masses,” the court observed. It further added, “Discretion is the better part of valour. No one is above public sentiment. Mistakes do happen, but one must also know how to respond when they do.”
Justice Nagaprassana said “No language can be born out of another. Where is the material to support this (claim)? And what has happened? Disharmony. And what have the people of Karnataka asked? (Only) an apology….The circumstances were created by Kamal Haasan, and he has said he will not apologise? You have undermined the sentiment of the people of Karnataka … On what basis? Are you a historian? Or a linguist?”
“Now you are here for a commercial interest, that police should protect for a situation created by you! One apology would have solved everything. In law, we will consider. But look at the attitude!”, the court slammed the actor.
These comments were made during the hearing of a petition filed by Raajkamal Films International, Haasan’s production company, which sought permission for the Karnataka release of Thug Life. The court postponed further proceedings in the matter to June 10.
Background of the Controversy
The KFCC recently imposed a ban on the release of Thug Life in Karnataka following Kamal Haasan’s remarks about the Kannada language, which he made during a promotional event in Chennai. His assertion that “Kannada is born from Tamil” sparked significant outrage, particularly among Kannada advocacy groups and regional organizations.
Speaking at an event in Chennai just weeks after the trailer release of his upcoming film ‘Thug Life’, Haasan opened his speech with the phrase “Uyire Urave Tamizhe”, which translates to “My life, and my family, is in Tamil language”.
Referring to the presence of Kannada actor Shivarajkumar at the same event, Haasan said, “This is my family in that place. That’s why he (Shivarajkumar) has come here. That’s why I began my speech by saying, life, family and Tamil. Your language (Kannada) was born out of Tamil, so you too are included (part of it).”
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