Amid Thug Life controversy, Kamal Haasan mourns Bengaluru stampede victims as language war gets bitter

Thug Life

Actor-politician Kamal Haasan mourned the devastating stampede at a victory-day celebration of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) win in IPL 2025, which killed 11 and injured 33 outside the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.

The tragedy, which occurred Wednesday evening, came as thousands of supporters tried to get a glimpse of their cricketing heroes, including star player Virat Kohli.

Responding to the report, Kamal wrote on X (formerly Twitter), “Heart-wrenching tragedy in Bangalore.

Very pained at the loss of lives and my heart goes out to the families affected in this moment of grief. Wishing the injured a speedy recovery.”

The incident happened minutes before Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah addressed the press, following which the CM himself confirmed the situation and said that the stampede occurred due to the overcrowding to catch a glimpse of the RCB team, which was scheduled to be felicitated. CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan termed it an “unexpected tragedy” and announced an ex-gratia of ₹10 lakh each for the families of the killed and directed a magisterial inquiry into the mishap. Before the stampede, the RCB team also went to Vidhana Soudha to meet the Chief Minister and then went to the Stadium.

‘Kamal’ film release in Karnataka clouded by language row.

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Kamal Haasan’s condolence message comes at a time when he remains under criticism over his controversial remarks in the Kannada language. The veteran actor recently said Kannada has absorbed a lot of Tamil and that it has originated from Tamil, which has drawn flak from Pro-Kannada outfits, and culture bodies.

While Haasan defended himself by saying his comment was made in reference to late Kannada icon Dr Rajkumar and his family members out of affection, the outrage doesn't seem to have died down with some groups still demanding an apology.

Addressing the press on the release of his next film Thug Life, Haasan refused to comment further on the controversy. “As a Tamil, a lot needs to be said and I’ll speak at length later,” he said. The film is all set to release across India on January 24, except in Karnataka, where its release has been put on hold.

Haasan earlier approached the court for the protection and release of his film in the state, but later, he announced that Thug Life would not be screened in Karnataka after the Karnataka High Court made certain remarks. Sources close to the actor said that “no demand can be made for an apology at gunpoint” referring to intense pressure being applied by some fringe groups to apologize for the language row.

Meanwhile, while fans across the country prepare for the long-awaited meeting between Thug Life, the timing of the stampede and simmering regional hostilities are a nasty reminder of the complex terrain that public figures like Haasan must tread—between art, politics, and the deeply entrenched cultural identities which sustain them.v