Karnataka High Court raps Kamal Haasan over Tamil-Kannada remark

Kamal Haasan

Karnataka High Court has pulled up Tamil veteran actor Kamal Haasan over his Tamil-Kannada remark. The actor had earlier said made a remark that Kannada was born out of Tamil at the audio launch of his movie Thug Life.

Karnataka HC told Kamal Haasan that 'you're not an ordinary man you're a public figure.'

The court further told Kamal Haasan: "Nobody has the right to hurt sentiments. Apology would have solved everything. "

HC even questioned Kamal and said: "On what basis are you speaking, are you a historian or a Linguist?'

The High Court came down hard on the veteran actor and said: "Why screen in Karnataka when you won't apologise?"

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“There is no apology in it. You may be Kamala Hassan or anybody, you cannot hurt the sentiments of the masses. The division of this country is on linguistic lines. A public figure cannot make such a statement. What has happened because of it unrest, disharmony. People of Karnataka only asked apology. Now you come here seeking protection. On what basis have you made the statement? Are you a historian, linguist? On what basis did you speak?” the court said, as per LiveLaw.

As per Live Law, the High Court further said: Division of this country is on linguistic lines. A public figure cannot make such statement. What has happened because of it unrest, disharmony. People of Karnataka only asked apology. Now you come here seeking protection.

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Further speaking on the petition, HC noted: "It is in public domain Shri Rajgopal made similar statement a letter was written and 75 years later similar statement was made and Rajgopal had apologised. Now you are seeking protection for release of your film. An apology would have done."

Anticipating disruption in the release of his upcoming movie 'Thug Life', actor and politician Kamal Haasan had approached the Karnataka High Court seeking urgent intervention for the smooth release of the film and adequate security at theatres planning to show it. The movie is scheduled for release on June 5.

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Kamal Haasan’s move follows the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) announcement of a boycott of the film unless the actor publicly apologises for his recent remark that "Kannada language originated from Tamil".

The remarks made during a promotional event in Chennai triggered widespread backlash from pro-Kannada organisations and sparked a political row.

The producers of the movie maintained that Kamal Haasan’s remarks were taken out of context and that they were intended to express cultural harmony between the people of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. The statement, the petition said, was made during a cordial interaction with Kannada superstar Shiva Rajkumar, who also reportedly defended Kamal Haasan's intent. (With PTI Inputs)