'Will only apologise if I am wrong': Kamal Haasan amid Kannada language row
The actor, who is expected to make his Rajya Sabha debut next month with support from the DMK, said he would have apologised if he felt his remarks were wrong.
Tamil Nadu actor-politician Kamal Haasan on Friday (May 30) declined to tender an apology for his remark that the Kannada language was “born out of Tamil”. The comment sparked a massive row between the two states that hold their languages close to their hearts.
Also read | From Kamal-Trisha dating to language faux pas, Thug Life keeps stirring the plot
The actor, who is expected to make his Rajya Sabha debut next month with support from the ruling DMK in Tamil Nadu, said he would have apologised if he felt his remarks were wrong.
‘Love will always triumph’
“I've been threatened before... but love will always triumph. My love for Karnataka, Andhra (Pradesh), and Kerala is true. Only those with an agenda would suspect otherwise,” he said. He also said, “This is a democracy and I believe in law and justice.”
On his Rajya Sabha candidature, as part of a deal with the DMK for his party's support in the 2024 Lok Sabha election, Kamal said he would raise his voice in Parliament for the people of Tamil Nadu. “Joining hands with the DMK was the need of the hour,” he said.
The controversy broke earlier this week when Kamal was speaking at an event in Chennai ahead of the launch of his new film, ‘Thug Life’, during which he claimed that “Kannada was born out of Tamil”. His remarks sparked widespread outrage among pro-Kannada groups and cultural organisations.
‘Thug Life’ hits roadblock
Meanwhile, as a result of the controversy, ‘Thug Life’ is facing major hurdles in Karnataka.
Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) said on Thursday that it will not allow the movie’s release in Karnataka unless the actor issues a public apology by May 30 for his controversial remarks about the Kannada language.
Also read | Kannada remark was ‘out of love’; not qualified to speak on language: Kamal Haasan
Speaking to reporters after a meeting with the stakeholders from the industry, KFCC president M Narasimhalu said the chamber office-bearers are trying to meet and talk to him.
“Many Kannada groups have demanded a ban on his movie. So, we met and discussed the matter, and we've decided that he should apologise. We agree that what he did was wrong, and we are trying to meet and talk to him,” said Narasimhalu.