Actor Kamal Haasan on Tuesday announced that his production house is not looking to release his upcoming film Thug Life in Karnataka for now, pending a dialogue with the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC). This submission was recorded by the Karnataka High Court during its hearing on Tuesday, which also indicated that the matter may be adjourned to allow for a potential settlement of the controversy stemming from Kamal’s recent remarks on the origin of the Kannada language.
Earlier, following demands for an apology, Kamal issued a clarification letter to KFCC President Narasimhalu. In the letter, he expressed his “pain” that his remarks were “misunderstood and taken out of context,” asserting his intent was to convey unity, not diminish Kannada. He affirmed, “There is no dispute or debate on the rich legacy of Kannada language.”
He underscored his “genuine” love for Kannada and its people, reiterating his firm stand for “equal dignity of all Indian languages,” and opposing the “dominance of any single language.” However, during its hearing, the High Court also slammed the actor for not explicitly apologizing in this letter. “The letter addressed to the KFCC is in response to the demand for an apology, but the word apology is not found in the communication,” the court observed.
You can’t unscramble the scrambled egg: Karnataka HC
Earlier on Tuesday, the Karnataka High Court had rapped the actor for his controversial remarks, stating, “You may be Kamal Haasan or anybody, you cannot hurt the sentiments of the masses.” The judge stated, “Haasan could have said ‘I have made a statement without looking into the history’… Language is a sentiment attached to particular people. You have said something to undermine that.”
Emphasizing the need for a direct apology, the judge added, “There is a difference between a person who is a victim of circumstances and a person who creates circumstances. Now that Haasan has made the statement, you can’t unscramble the scrambled egg, only thing left is to apologize. (If you won’t apologize) Why do you want film to run in Karnataka?”
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HINDUSTAN TIMES (June 4, 2025)
The Karnataka High Court pulled up actor Kamal Haasan over his recent controversial statement, “Kannada was born out of Tamil”, during a film promotion. The court said that he shouldn’t have “hurt public sentiments” and asked him to “make amends”.
“Discretion is the best part of valour, we will not permit anybody’s sentiments to be taken for a ride. Mistakes happen, you must know what to do when mistakes happen,” the court said. It made the strong verbal observations while hearing a plea filed by Kamal’s production house, seeking the release of the actor’s upcoming film, Thug Life, in Karnataka.
Justice M Nagaprasanna, after watching the video of the event, said, “You may be Kamal Haasan or anybody, you can’t hurt the sentiments of the masses. On what basis have you made the statement? Are you a historian, linguist? The division of this country is on linguistic lines. A public figure can’t make such statements. What has happened because of it is unrest. The people of Karnataka only asked for an apology. Now you come here seeking protection.”
Appearing for Kamal’s production house, advocate Dhyan Chinnappa urged the court to consider “the context in which the statement was made by the actor”. He said: “The statement made cannot be taken outside and say that he is saying something against Kannada language.” Dhyan also submitted Kamal’s written reply following the incident. The court replied: “There is no apology in it… You are not an ordinary man, you are a public figure.”
Till the time of going to press, Kamal, 70, who refused to apologize, decided to not release his film in Karnataka for now. It’s subject to his discussion with the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC). Meanwhile, the matter will be heard again on June 10.