Actor Kamal Haasan has sparked a political and cultural firestorm with his controversial claim that Kannada originated from Tamil, leading to rare bipartisan condemnation in Karnataka. His remark, made at a promotional event for his upcoming film Thug Life in Chennai, has united both the Congress-led state government and the BJP-led Opposition in Karnataka in sharp criticism.
What Kamal Haasan Said
Haasan reportedly stated that:
“Kannada originated from Tamil,”and emphasized Dravidian identity by saying:“We are all Dravidians, don’t forget… We offer our family, ‘Thug Life’.”
He also made a pointed remark about language priorities:
“First learn the language of the neighbouring state. We can worry about Hindi later.”
These comments are seen as a mix of linguistic chauvinism, cultural overreach, and political posturing, particularly as Haasan is now confirmed to have DMK support for a Rajya Sabha seat from Tamil Nadu.
Political Reactions in Karnataka
Congress Government:
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Chief Minister Siddaramaiah rebuked Haasan, calling his statement factually wrong and implying ignorance:
“Poor Kamal Haasan, he is unaware of Kannada’s rich history.”
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Congress MLA Rizwan Arshad called the remarks “unwarranted,” stating:
“Kamal is no authority to make statements on Kannada and Tamil… His comment is creating unnecessary divisions.”
BJP Opposition:
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R. Ashoka, Leader of the Opposition, called Haasan a “mental patient” and demanded a boycott of his films in Karnataka.
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BY Vijayendra, BJP’s Karnataka president, posted on X:
“It is uncultured to disrespect another language. Especially artists should respect every language.”
Cultural and Public Backlash
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Pro-Kannada groups and linguistic activists have demanded an apology or clarification from Haasan.
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The comment has been seen as an insult to Kannada’s cultural identity and a dismissal of its linguistic independence, sparking outrage on social media and beyond.
Broader Context
Haasan's comment comes amid heightened language sensitivity in Karnataka:
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A viral video recently showed an SBI official refusing to speak Kannada in Bengaluru, leading to her transfer.
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A case was filed against singer Sonu Nigam for remarks perceived as insulting Kannada by comparing its pronunciation to that of a terror attack in Pahalgam.
This controversy also aligns with the larger South Indian political narrative of opposing Hindi imposition, but Haasan’s remarks have been seen as needlessly antagonistic toward a fellow Dravidian state.
Tamil Nadu’s Response
Even within Tamil Nadu, voices like Tamilisai Soundararajan (BJP) cautioned Haasan:
“When we speak about languages, we must be careful and constructive. Kamal criticizes other languages to appease the DMK.”
