Kamal Haasan should apologise for his Kannada-Tamil remark to save 'Thug Life' from ban, says KFCC

Kamal Haasan’s 'Thug Life' has faced an unexpected boycott trend from some parts of Karnataka following his remark about Kannada and Tamil. Now, the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) has taken a firm stand against the release of 'Thug Life' in the state, demanding a public apology from Kamal for his controversial comment on Kannada.

KFCC sought Kamal's apology

According to PTI, the chamber has issued a deadline of May 30 for the apology, failing which it plans to block the film’s release. Following discussions with members of the Kannada film industry, KFCC President M. Narasimhalu addressed the media and stated that efforts are being made to directly engage with the veteran actor. “Many Kannada groups have demanded a ban on his movie. So, we met and discussed the matter, and we've decided that he should apologise. We agree that what he did was wrong, and we are trying to meet and talk to him,” Narasimhalu said.

Former KFCC president Sa Ra Govindu warned of intensified protests if no apology is made. “We have no sympathy for Kamal Haasan. If he does not issue a public apology today or tomorrow, we will support Kannada activists and will protest fiercely. Under no circumstances will we allow the film’s release unless he apologises publicly,” he asserted.



Actor Jayamala reacts to Kamal's Kannada- Tamil remark

Actor Jayamala, who previously led the KFCC from 2008 to 2010, shared her thoughts on the ongoing controversy. She stressed the importance of solidarity among Kannadigas whenever language-related issues arise, calling it a collective duty. According to her, regardless of whether Kamal made the statement knowingly or unintentionally, his claim that “Kannada was born out of Tamil” was inaccurate and offensive. Jayamala believes there is nothing wrong in accepting and regretting a mistake, and highlighted that the KFCC is attempting to engage with the actor to make him realise how hurtful his comment was to the sentiments of Kannada-speaking people. She firmly stated that it is Haasan’s moral obligation to offer a public apology.
About Kamal Haasan's language comparison

The backlash stems from Kamal Haasan’s recent comment during a promotional event for Thug Life, where he stated that “Kannada was born out of Tamil.” His words have triggered sharp criticism from pro-Kannada organisations and language activists.

Kamal later clarified that the remark was made with affection and love. On the other hand, Kamal Haasan was last seen in Shankar's action drama film 'Indian 2'.

Check out our list of the latest Hindi, English, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Kannada movies. Don’t miss our picks for the best Hindi movies, best Tamil movies, and best Telugu films.