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In today’s world, whether it’s political leaders, film stars, or celebrities from any field — one slip of the tongue during a public speech can cause massive backlash. Especially in this digital age where social media spreads faster than wildfire, even the smallest misstatement can lead to intense trolling and outrage. Public sensitivity has increased, emotional responses have intensified, and sentiments are easily hurt — resulting in widespread uproar.
Now, even someone as revered as Kamal Haasan, often called the “Master of All Arts” and “Leader of the People,” is facing the heat — this time in Karnataka. From common citizens to the Chief Minister himself, there has been an uproar. In fact, language pride in Karnataka now seems even stronger than in Tamil Nadu. While love for one's language is commendable, it's gradually crossing the line into fanaticism.
Unlike in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, Telugu-speaking people have been comparatively indifferent to their linguistic identity. While their language deteriorates in usage, very few raise their voice. In contrast, the language sentiment in these two states is reaching fever pitch — to the extent that other languages are no longer tolerated, and any hint of linguistic superiority sparks outrage.
This is the context behind Kamal Haasan’s recent controversy. While promoting his upcoming film “Thug Life”, Kamal made a statement that glorified Tamil while seemingly demeaning Kannada. In a moment that many saw as unnecessary, Kamal brought up language origins and claimed:
“Kannada was born out of Tamil.”
Such a comment — whether historically debated or not — struck a nerve, especially with both Tamil and Kannada speakers fiercely proud of their respective languages. Kannada people took offense, feeling that Kamal had insulted their mother tongue. The backlash was swift and intense.
Calls for banning the Kannada version of Thug Life in Karnataka are growing louder. Even Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah reacted, stating that Kamal seemed unaware of Kannada’s rich linguistic history. This is especially controversial given Kamal’s own past work in Kannada cinema, where he is a known and respected figure.
Public demands for an apology are mounting, but Kamal Haasan has refused to apologize. He stated that he spoke out of love, and questioned why someone should apologize for speaking with affection.
“I didn’t intend to demean anyone,” he said.
“Even politicians like me don’t have the expertise to talk about language histories,” he added — which, in a way, is an admission of limited knowledge on the subject.
In response, Praveen Shetty, chief of the Karnataka Rakshana Vedike, condemned Kamal’s comments, stating:
“He wants to earn revenue from Kannada audiences, but insults our language on the other hand.”
Several pro-Kannada organizations have announced large-scale protests, demanding that Kamal withdraw his remarks and show respect for the Kannada language and culture.
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