Kamal Haasan responds to Kannada language row: 'Politicians not qualified to talk about language, including me'

Dubai: Ahead of his visit to Dubai to promote his upcoming actioner Thug Life on June 5th, actor and politician Kamal Haasan has issued a clarification after triggering controversy with his recent comment suggesting that Kannada “was born out of Tamil.”

"Politicians are not qualified to talk about language, including me," responded the actor following the backlash.

“If I have said something that hurt people, it was not my intention. Language is not about politics. It’s about emotion, connection, and history," he added, according to NDTV.

Reports emerging from Indian dailies claim that his controversial remark made during a public event in Chennai drew sharp criticism from political leaders and pro-Kannada groups in Karnataka, with many accusing Haasan of insulting the Kannada language and demanding an unconditional apology.

Speaking at the Chennai event just weeks after unveiling the trailer of his upcoming film Thug Life, Haasan began his speech with the phrase “Uyire Urave Tamizhe” — which translates to “My life, and my family, is in Tamil language.”

Reports claim he was referring to Kannada actor Shivarajkumar, who was present at the event.

"This is my family in that place. That’s why he 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," told Kamal glancing at Shivarajkumar.

The comment was seen by many in Karnataka as dismissive of the independent roots and rich heritage of the Kannada language.

BJP state president B.Y. Vijayendra called Haasan’s remarks “uncultured” and said they reflected “the height of arrogance.” He accused the actor of showing disrespect toward a language and people who have supported his work over decades.

“Kamal Haasan, who has acted in many Indian languages including Kannada, should know better. He has insulted the self-respect of 6.5 crore Kannadigas,” Vijayendra posted on X, demanding an immediate and unconditional apology.

Pro-Kannada groups, including members of the Karnataka Rakshana Vedike, also expressed their outrage. Activists in Bengaluru tore posters of Thug Life and warned of a potential ban on the film in Karnataka if Haasan did not retract his statement.

The controversy has surfaced just days before Thug Life is scheduled to release on June 5, casting a shadow over the film’s promotions in India.

In a previous interview with Gulf News conducted by this journalist in Dubai in 2022, Kamal spoke at length about identity, cinema, and his role in politics.

“There’s nothing called a full-time anything,” when asked about being labelled a full-time politician, underscoring his belief that roles and identities are fluid.

He also emphasised how cinema transcends linguistic borders, saying, “Cinema has a language of its own and it goes beyond language barriers.”