"Kannada Born Out Of Tamil": Kamal Haasan Sparks Language Controversy During 'Thug Life' Promotion
Veteran actor and politician Kamal Haasan, who is extensively promoting his upcoming gangster film, Thug Life, made a controversial comment by linking the roots of the Kannada language to Tamil. During the audio launch in Chennai, the actor stirred a storm by stating that the Kannada language descended from Tamil, triggering sharp criticism from Kannada activists and calls for the film to be banned in Karnataka.
The audio launch event of director Mani Ratnam and Kamal Haasan’s Thug Life took place in Chennai on Sunday, with the Kannada star Shivarajkumar gracing the event. While addressing the event, Kamal Haasan began his speech with his usual phrase, hailing the Tamil language: “Uyire Urave Tamizhe” (My life, my soul is Tamil).
While addressing the audience, the actor highlighted the presence of the Kannada actor Shivarajkumar, referring to him as “family from another state.” He added, “That’s why he is here. That’s why when I started my speech, I said, my life and my family are Tamil.”
The actor then connected the roots of Kannada to the Tamil language, stating that since Kannada emerged from Tamil, the Kannada actor too is a part of this extended linguistic family. He added, “Your language (Kannada) was born out of Tamil, so you too are included in that line.”
The statement has now created displeasure among Kannadigas, with many expressing their contrasting opinions on social media. Demanding an apology, BY Vijayendra, the Karnataka BJP President, criticised the actor for displaying “arrogance” by “undermining Kannada”.
ಮಾತೃಭಾಷೆಯನ್ನು ಪ್ರೀತಿಸಬೇಕು, ಆದರೆ ಅದರ ಹೆಸರಿನಲ್ಲಿ ದುರಭಿಮಾನ ಮೆರೆಯುವುದು ಸಂಸ್ಕೃತಿ ಹೀನ ನಡವಳಿಕೆಯಾಗುತ್ತದೆ. ಅದರಲ್ಲೂ ಕಲಾವಿದರಿಗೆ ಪ್ರತಿಯೊಂದು ಭಾಷೆಯನ್ನೂ ಗೌರವಿಸುವ ಸಂಸ್ಕಾರ ಇರಬೇಕು. ಕನ್ನಡವೂ ಸೇರಿದಂತೆ ಅನೇಕ ಭಾರತೀಯ ಭಾಷೆಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ನಟಿಸಿರುವ ನಟ @ikamalhaasan ತಮ್ಮ ತಮಿಳು ಭಾಷೆಯನ್ನು ವೈಭವಿಕರಿಸುವ ಮತ್ತಿನಲ್ಲಿ ನಟ… pic.twitter.com/PrfKX099lZ
— Vijayendra Yediyurappa (@BYVijayendra) May 27, 2025
The Karnataka BJP president accused Kamal Haasan of insulting Hinduism and hurting religious sentiments for the past few years. He said that the actor is not a historian to define which language gave birth to the other, accusing him of hurting the pride of 6.5 crore Kannadigas by disrespecting their language.
His statement read, “However, the Kannada language, with a history spanning over two and a half thousand years, symbolizes richness on India’s map and represents harmony. Kannadigas are not language haters, but let Kamal Haasan, who has spoken as if his wisdom has been scorched, be reminded that Kannadigas have never sacrificed their pride when it comes to their land, language, people, water, and ideas,” he added.
Several social media users also called for a ban on the film in Karnataka. One X user wrote, “Ban his film THUG LIFE in Karnataka; with all due respect, Kamal should have had some sense in his head before blabbering white lies.”
Ban his film THUG LIFE in Karnataka, with all due respect, Kamal should have had some sense in his head before blabbering white lies https://t.co/ZOZYWwbJkp
— AR (@AdhiRajeev) May 28, 2025
Another X user remarked, “I thought Tamil actors were wise. But Kamal Haasan, the veteran Tamil actor, appears to be so stupid! Kannada is a sister language of Tamil with parallel history. Kannada is NOT born from Tamil. What’s wrong with these Tamil actors? They don’t have basic knowledge !”
I thought Tamil actors were wise.
But Kamal Haasan, the veteran Tamil actor appears to be so stupid !
Kannada is a sister language of Tamil with parallel history.
Kannada is NOT born from Tamil.
What’s wrong with these Tamil actors ? They don’t have basic knowledge ! 😕 pic.twitter.com/mpu877CL6f
— Ethnic Kannadiga (@Ellarakannada) May 27, 2025
Kamal Haasan’s Thug Life is scheduled to hit theatres on June 5. In the vision to reach a wider audience, the film will be released in multiple languages like Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam.
Directed by Mani Ratnam, the film features Kamal Haasan, STR, Trisha Krishnan, Abhirami, Joju George, Nassar, Ali Fazal, Pankaj Tripathi, Sanya Malhotra, Aishwarya Lekshmi, and Rohit Saraf, among others.
