Top actor Kamal Haasan’s Kannada-Tamil remarks stoked a major row in Karnataka on Wednesday, prompting calls for his apology and threats to disrupt his upcoming flick Thug Life, but the veteran indicated he would not budge, saying ‘love never apologises.’ While the ruling Congress said Haasan was not aware of the greatness of Kannada, BJP demanded an apology from the actor-politician saying he ‘disrespected’ the language.
Incidentally, the issue flared up on a day when Haasan was nominated by his party, Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) to the Rajya Sabha, after the DMK in Tamil Nadu allotted one seat in the Upper House to MNM in return for its support in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.
Pro-Kannada groups went up in arms against Haasan for his ‘Tamil gave birth to Kannada’ remarks, with a police complaint filed against him, while a film association is set to discuss a possible ban on the veteran star ahead of his upcoming release Thug Life, directed by ace filmmaker Mani Ratnam.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said: ‘Kannada language has a very long history….he (Kamal Hassan) doesn’t know.’ Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce President M Narasimhalu said that he has called for a meeting with all stakeholders of Kannada film industry to discuss a possible ban on Haasan. ‘We will meet tomorrow (May 29) and will let the world know the outcome by afternoon,’ he said.
Haasan’s comments that ‘Tamil gave birth to Kannada,’ at the audio launch of Thug Life in Chennai, has not gone down well with many in the southern state, with Karnataka BJP chief B Y Vijayendra accusing the actor of ‘disrespecting’ Kannada and seeking an unconditional apology from him. The actor’s comments have sparked outrage among several pro-Kannada outfits. (PTI)
