Kamal Haasan Refuses Apology, 'Thug Life' Karnataka Release Stalled Amid Row (image:x.com/CinemaWithAB)

Bengaluru, Karnataka: Amid the controversy around his Kannada language remark, actor-politician Kamal Haasan on Tuesday said that he refuses to apologise and his movie, Thug Life, will not be released in Karnataka for now. This new development came as Kamal Haasan moved the Karnataka High Court seeking the film’s release.

While hearing the petition filed by Raajkamal Films International, Kamal Hassan’s production company, a single-judge bench of the High Court suggested that actor should apologise for his statement which was said to have hurt the sentiments of people in Karnataka.

Also Read | KFCC Bans ‘Thug Life’ Release In Karnataka; Demands Apology From Kamal Haasan

During the audio launch of the film Thug Life Kamal Haasan made the controversial remark that Kannada language was “born out of Tamil,” and a row erupted. His comment sparked outrage among Kannada groups and language activists, and the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) has demanded a public apology from the actor.

Advocate appearing for the Kamal Haasan’s production company argued in the court that actor’s statement was made in a different context. The court, meanwhile, questioned Kamal Haasan’s expertise in making such statement, “On what basis have you made the statement, are you a historian, linguist. On what basis did you speak?,” the Live Law quoted the Court as saying.

During the argument, the court also cited the example of C Rajagopalachari, who had made a similar statement in 1950, but later apologised after being corrected. The judge further questioned, why actor could not do the same. “You may be Kamal Haasan… but any citizen has no right to hurt sentiments of masses. There are three things people are very emotional to, that is Nela, Jala and Bhashe, (land, water and language)… All these three things are important to any citizens,” the Court observed.

Also Read | “Historians Have Taught Me”: Kamal Haasan Clarifies Tamil-Kannada Remark

The Court further added that “Now you want your film to run smoothly in a state where sentiments are hurt. If you are not so bothered, why do you want the film to run in Karnataka – leave it. Fundamental right of speech, freedom of expression are alright, but freedom of expression cannot be stretched to the extent of hurting someone’s sentiments, of the mass in particular,” the Indian Express quoted the Court as saying.

Though the court granted Kamal Haasan time till 2.30 pm on Tuesday to “make amends,” he refused to apologise and instead stalled the release of the film in Karnataka. The next hearing on the matter is scheduled for June 10.