Actor Kamal Haasan has sparked a row with his recent comments saying Kannada language was born out of Tamil. The actor made the remark during a film promotion event in Chennai drawing sharp criticism from pro-Kannada groups.
Addressing the event during the he audio launch of his latest film ‘Thug Life’, Haasan began his specech with the phrase “Uyire Urave Tamizhe”, meaning “my life and my family is Tamil language”.
He further said that actor Shivarajkumar is his family living in another state. “That’s why he is here. That’s why when I started my speech, I said ‘My life and my family is Tamil’. Your language (Kannada) was born out of Tamil. So you are included in that line.”
Kannada actor, Shivarajkumar was also present at the Saturday event of the Mani Ratnam directorial venture.
Pro-Kannada Organisations Protest
Haasan’s comment drew ire from pro-Kannada organisations, such as the Kannada Rakshana Vedike. The groups condemned the remark and warned of serious consequences if Haasan continued to make such statements.
Pro-Kannada activists vandalised posters of Thug Life in Bengaluru and issued a warning to Haasan over his remark.
Praveen Shetty, leader of Kannada Rakshana Vedike threatened that the actor won’t get business in Karnataka if he insults Kannada.
“Kamal Haasan said Tamil is better than Kannada and Kannada only after Tamil was born. We are warning Kamal, you need business in Karnataka? And yet insulting Kannada,” he said.
