From Thug Life Ban in Karnataka to Virumaandi Title Issue: Five Times Kamal Haasan’s Firm Stance Led to Legal Troubles

Kamal Haasan has recently been embroiled in controversy over his remarks about Kannada and Tamil, and a group of people from Karnataka has called for a ban on his upcoming movie Thug Life in the state. The actor was asked to make a public apology, but he did not change his stance and approached the High Court for permission to release the film in the state. This is not the first time Kamal has faced such backlash from the public over his movies and speeches. Let’s take a closer look at his controversial remarks over the years.

Pic: Instagram

Kamal Haasan welcomed his friend, actor Shiva Rajkumar, on stage during the audio launch event of his upcoming movie Thug Life. During his speech, he referred to the actor as his brother and stated that ‘Kannada is born out of Tamil’. The statement sparked widespread criticism, with some communities in Karnataka demanding a public apology and a retraction. Kamal did not apologise, stating that he had said nothing wrong. The actor shared that he loves all languages and that his speech was intended as an expression of love towards the language but was misunderstood by the public. Later, the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) announced that they would support groups calling for a ban on the movie. The actor approached the High Court for permission to release the film in Karnataka, and the hearing has now been adjourned to 10 June. Thug Life is scheduled to hit theatres on June 5.

Pic: Instagram

In 2013, Kamal Haasan found himself at the centre of a major controversy with the release of Vishwaroopam. The film drew objections from several Muslim organisations, who claimed it portrayed their community in a negative light. This led the Tamil Nadu government, under then Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa, to impose a two-week ban on the film, even though it had been released smoothly in neighbouring states.

The ban was a significant setback for Haasan, who had invested his personal resources into the film, taking on multiple roles as writer, director, producer, and lead actor. The financial strain was so severe that he publicly admitted to being close to bankruptcy.

At a press meet in Mumbai in January 2013, a visibly emotional Haasan voiced his despair and even suggested that he might consider leaving India if such repeated obstacles continued. Meanwhile, in Chennai, a large number of supporters gathered outside his residence in Alwarpet to show their backing. From the balcony of his home, Haasan addressed the crowd with an emotional speech.

Pic: Twitter

Kamal Haasan’s critically acclaimed film Virumaandi was initially launched in April 2003 under the title Sandiyar. However, the original title sparked protests from K. Krishnasamy, the leader of a caste-based political outfit in Tamil Nadu, who argued that the name could provoke unrest. In response to the controversy, Kamal Haasan personally met with then Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa to address the concerns. Following their discussion, he agreed to change the title, and the film was subsequently renamed Virumaandi. Directed by Kamal Haasan himself, the film features a strong ensemble cast including Pasupathy, Napoleon, Abhirami, Rohini, Shanmugarajan, and Nassar.

Pic: Twitter

Manmadan Ambu, a romantic comedy released in 2010, was directed by K. S. Ravikumar with a screenplay penned by Kamal Haasan. One of the songs from the movie, titled “Kamal Kavidhai,” sparked controversy due to its lyrics, which touched upon themes of female desire and included mentions of Hindu deities such as Aranganathar and Sri Varalakshmi. The song faced backlash from certain groups, prompting the film’s producer, Udhayanidhi Stalin, to decide on its removal from the final cut of the movie. The film stars Kamal Haasan alongside Trisha and R. Madhavan.

Pic: Twitter

Kamal found himself embroiled in controversy following a legal complaint over his song "Pathala Pathala." The track, which is the lead single from his movie Vikram, directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, has drawn criticism for allegedly mocking the central government. The Tamil song includes lines such as: "The treasury is empty while diseases spread; the mistakes of the Union Government have left us with nothing. The power now rests with the thief."

Selvam, a social activist who filed the complaint, demands that these particular lines be removed from the song. He warned that if no corrective action is taken, he intends to escalate the matter by approaching the Madras High Court. Furthermore, Selvam has threatened to seek a ban on the release of Vikram unless the issue is addressed promptly.

Kamal Haasan himself wrote and performed the song, with music composed by Anirudh Ravichander.

Pic: Twitter