Kamal Haasan refuses to unravel 'south Indian' unity any further

After actor Kamal Haasan's statement that Tamil was the "mother" of Kannada created an anti-climax in the north-versus-south story, which had been re-ignited by BJP MP Tejasvi Surya's demand to place Kannada-speaking employees in branches of the SBI situated in Karnataka, the superstar of yesteryears' Tamil cinema made a public appearance on June 4 during a press event alongside the cast of his upcoming film Thug Life. The press conference came in the midst of a swirling controversy triggered by a remark he made about the origins of the Kannada language at a recent promotional event for the film.

Twist in India's language 'war'

Actor-turned-politician Kamal Haasan calls Tamil the "mother of Kannada". Kanadigas burn Haasan's effigies in protest! pic.twitter.com/0Un3V7kkcf

— Surajit Dasgupta (@surajitdasgupta) May 28, 2025

This was Haasan's first interaction with the media since the controversy broke out and the Karnataka High Court issued critical remarks. However, he chose not to comment directly on the issue, stating, "I should thank the entire state of Tamil Nadu, which stood behind me." He added that he would speak on the matter “when the time is right.”

Kamal Haasan clarifies

The actor also touched upon the deeper meaning behind his frequently used phrase, "Uyire, Urave, Tamizhe," which translates to "life," "soul," and "Tamil." Haasan explained that these words symbolised his enduring love for the Tamil language and his cultural roots. It was this slogan that he used during the Thug Life promotional event in Chennai—remarks made in the same breath that later ignited the linguistic debate.

During the press interaction, Haasan highlighted the dedication and effort behind Thug Life, which is due to hit theatres on June 5. He praised the technical team for their world-class work and expressed gratitude to the press for their continued support. Speaking of working with acclaimed director Mani Ratnam, he said, "It is an honour to work in a Mani Ratnam movie. The movie's cast is like our soldiers. Big stars are working in this movie and have come for Mani Ratnam's name, even though they have 30 years of experience."

Reconciliation possible

Meanwhile, discussions between Haasan's team and the Karnataka Film Chamber are still underway in hopes of resolving the issue. However, the actor formally notified the Karnataka High Court on June 3 that Thug Life would not be released in Karnataka.

The court, in turn, advised him to consider withdrawing his earlier statement or issuing an apology. Haasan, who had approached the court for protection, defended himself by saying that his comments were not meant to offend. The court had given him until 2:30 p.m. on June 3 to clarify whether he would apologise for his assertion that “Kannada is born out of Tamil.”

In a letter addressed to the president of the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC), Haasan explained that his statement had been misinterpreted. "It pains me that my statement at the Thug Life audio launch -- spoken out of genuine affection for the legendary Dr. Rajkumar's family, especially Shiva Rajkumar -- has been misunderstood and taken out of context. My words were intended only to convey that we are all one and from the same family and not to diminish Kannada in any way."

He went on to express admiration for the Kannada language and culture, noting its strong literary legacy. "Throughout my career, I have cherished the warmth and affection extended to me by the Kannada-speaking community."

Following the High Court proceedings, the KFCC postponed its scheduled executive committee meeting to deliberate on the issue. Reaffirming his stance, Haasan said he was exercising his constitutional rights to free speech and to conduct his business. "I won't apologise for love." The court has adjourned the matter to June 10.