'Thug Life': Kamal Haasan Says Statement Was Misunderstood; Karnataka HC Asks Why He Can’t Apologise

Kamal Haasan has now written to the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce, explaining why his statement was taken out of context and misunderstood. In a letter addressed to Narasimhalu, President of the KFCC, the actor said that his intention, with his language comment, was only to convey that "we are all one" and not to “diminish Kannada in any way.” The actor acknowledged that “there is no dispute or debate on the rich legacy of the Kannada language.”

“I have always stood for the equal dignity of all Indian languages and remain opposed to the dominance of any one language over another, as such imbalance undermines the linguistic fabric of the Union of India,” his letter read. The actor also expressed his regret over the embarrassment Shiva Rajkumar had to go through on his account. 

The actor, here, is referring to the remarks he made at the Thug Life audio launch, where he said “Kannada was born out of Tamil,” before welcoming Kannada actor Shiva Rajkumar to the event.

Haasan and the film have been put under the wringer since, with pro-Kannada groups, the KFCC and the BJP demanding that the actor apologise. The release of Thug Life, which is set to be out on June 5, is also put on hold in the state, with the KFCC threatening that they would green-light the film only if Haasan were to apologise. Haasan has repeatedly said that he will not be apologising, further appealing to the Karnataka High Court to clear the release of his film.

On Tuesday, the High Court of Karnataka gave Haasan time till 2.30 p.m, asking whether he wants to apologise for his statement, The Hindu reported. The court pointed out that the Governor-General of India C. Rajagopalachari had apologised for making a similar statement in the 1950s. “When persons like Rajagopalacharari can apologise, why can’t Kamal Haasan,” the Court reportedly asked the advocate representing Raajkamal Films International.

The Court reportedly further made the following observations: “...a public figure like Mr. Haasan makes a public statement on a public forum that a language is born out of another language when no language can be born out of any other language... Where is the material to support it? And what has happened because of that statement is unrest, disharmony.... What did the people of Karnataka ask? An apology. Now you have come up before the court seeking police protection for the circumstances created by you. Have people of Karnataka created this circumstance?”

It is currently unclear whether Haasan will apologise or the film will get a release in Karnataka. The actor has reportedly announced that he will not be apologising for the remark.Thug Life is directed by Mani Ratnam and co-stars Silambarasan TR, Trisha, Nasser, Ashok Selvan, Joju George, and Aishwarya Lekshmi, among others.