Kamal Haasan says 'won't apologise' for 'Kannada was born out of Tamil' remark despite backlash in Karnataka

Actor-politician Kamal Haasan has caused a major controversy after saying “Kannada was born out of Tamil” during a film promotion event in Chennai. His comment led to widespread anger and strong political reactions in Karnataka.

Karnataka’s Kannada and Culture Minister Shivaraj Tangadagi demanded an immediate apology from Kamal Haasan to the people of Karnataka. In response, Kamal Haasan said his statement was “out of love” and added, “love will never apologise.”

Calls for Apology and Possible Film Ban
Tangadagi insisted that Kannada actor Shivaraj Kumar, who was present during Kamal’s speech, should condemn the remark. He also urged the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce to consider banning Kamal’s films. The minister said, “He must apologise to the people of Karnataka.”

He further added, “Regardless of the personality, we will tolerate none if they try to defame Kannada language, culture, water or boundary. He must apologise to the people of Karnataka. Being a veteran actor, he should not have commented in such a manner. They (Kamal) need Kannada to act and earn and run their propaganda. Should they be allowed to speak like this? Previously, singer Sonu Nigam courted controversy and apologised. There is a need to teach a lesson to all these people.”

Protests and Police Complaint

Kamal’s statement triggered protests across Karnataka, with pro-Kannada groups holding demonstrations in Belagavi, Mysuru, Hubballi, and Bengaluru. The Karnataka Rakshana Vedike faction, led by Praveen Shetty, filed a complaint against Kamal at the RT Nagar police station. The complaint alleged that Kamal hurt the feelings of Kannadigas and caused unrest between Kannadigas and Tamilians. A senior police officer said the complaint was forwarded for legal opinion and further action will be decided accordingly.

Karnataka BJP chief BY Vijayendra criticised Kamal, saying, “Disrespecting another language in the name of their mother tongue is nothing but uncultured behaviour. Having acted in several Indian languages, Kamal's attempt to glorify Tamil language, especially in the presence of Kannada actor Shivaraj Kumar, reflects his arrogance and foolishness.”

Kamal Haasan’s Explanation

In response to the political backlash, Kamal Haasan spoke from Thiruvananthapuram. He recalled Tamil Nadu’s history of diverse chief ministers from different linguistic backgrounds, including the late J Jayalalithaa, who was originally from Mandya in Karnataka.

Kamal described his remarks as an “explanation” rather than an “answer” in a democratic country. He said, “They (protestors) are confusing the issue. Politicians are not qualified to talk about language, including me. Let's leave all these discussions to historians, archaeologists and language experts. When there was a problem from a TN CM, who hailed from Karnataka, it was Karnataka that gave me support and Kannadigas offered to provide me with a house. So, people will take care of...”

Referring to his ‘statement of love’ on language, made in the presence of Shivaraj Kumar, Kamal added, “We (he and Rajkumar family) are a family and so are the languages. If you look at it from a northern point of view, according to them, it is right. If you look at it from Thenkumari (South), what I said was right. There is also a third angle - the scholars, linguists who say both are right - families and languages that came from the North.”

Inputs from TOI