Karnataka HC Slams Kamal Haasan: ‘You May Be a Star, But You Can’t Hurt Sentiments

The Karnataka High Court sharply criticized actor Kamal Haasan for his claim that “Kannada was born out of Tamil,” made during a promotional event for his film Thug Life in Chennai. The statement sparked widespread protests across Karnataka, with pro-Kannada groups demanding an apology. The court, hearing a petition from Haasan’s team to ensure the movie’s release, questioned his refusal to apologize, saying, “You may be Kamal Haasan, but you can’t hurt sentiments.”

Court’s Strong Words

Justice M. Nagaprasanna, leading the bench, challenged Haasan’s authority to make such claims, asking, “Are you a historian or linguist?” The judge stressed that language is deeply tied to people’s emotions and that public figures must be careful with their words. The court noted that the remark caused unrest and disharmony, pointing out that a simple apology could have resolved the issue. Instead, Haasan’s stance has led to a ban on Thug Life by the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC), set to release on June 5.

The Backlash

Haasan’s comment, made while addressing Kannada actor Shivarajkumar at the Thug Life audio launch, was meant to express cultural unity but was seen as disrespectful to Kannada’s rich history. Karnataka’s Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and BJP leaders like B.Y. Vijayendra condemned the statement, with the latter calling it an insult to Kannadigas. Pro-Kannada groups, including Karnataka Rakshana Vedike, protested outside cinemas and filed police complaints, demanding Haasan apologize or face a statewide boycott of the film.

Haasan’s Defense

Haasan, backed by his lawyer Dhyan Chinnappa, argued that his words were taken out of context and meant to highlight shared cultural ties, not offend. He has refused to apologize, stating he would only do so if proven wrong. The court, however, urged him to reconsider, noting that freedom of speech does not allow hurting public sentiments. The judge referenced a past apology by C. Rajagopalachari for a similar issue, suggesting Haasan follow suit.

What’s Next?

The court has asked Haasan to clarify his stance on an apology, with no final ruling yet on Thug Life’s release. As protests continue, the controversy underscores the sensitivity of language issues in India, putting Haasan’s film at risk in Karnataka.