Kamal Haasan Film Stalled in Karnataka as Actor Refuses to Apologise Over Remarks on Kannada

New Delhi: Actor Kamal Haasan decided to stall the release of his film Thug Life in Karnataka after refusing to apologise before the Karnataka high court for allegedly hurting the sentiments of people by his recent remarks on the origin of the Kannada language. 

A single-judge bench of the Karnataka high court was hearing a plea filed by Raajkamal Film Ventures, production house run by Kamal Haasan, for police protection for the release of his film in Karnataka.

The film is scheduled for worldwide release on June 5. 

However, the actor, who is also Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) chief, has agreed to stall its release in Karnataka for a week until further discussions happen. 

Senior advocate Dhyan Chinappa, representing the petitioner, withdrew the petition and said, “An apology is required where there is malice,” claiming that Haasan had no ill-intention when he made the statement.

He also asked the court to see the context in which Haasan’s statement, that led to a controversy, was made.

“Please see the context in which the statement was made… Superstar of the Kannada film industry was also present during that event. The statement made cannot be taken outside and say that he is saying something against Kannada language,” Chinnappa argued, as quoted by LiveLaw, while also submitting a reply filed by Haasan soon after the incident.

Producers of the movie moved the high court on Monday after some pro-Kannada organisations and the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) staged protests across cities including Bengaluru, Belagavi, Hubballi and Mysuru, demanding an apology from Haasan for saying that Kannada “is born out of” Tamil language. Karnataka culture minister Shivaraj Tangadagi also joined in to protest and demand an apology.

Chinnappa also submitted to the court the letter Haasan wrote to KFCC stating that his statement during the launch of the movie’s audio was made “out of genuine affection for the legendary Dr. Rajkumar” and that his words were intended only to convey that “we are all one and from the same family and not to diminish Kannada in any way”.

‘Sticking to your ego’

During the hearing, the Karnataka high court remarked that Haasan was sticking on to his ego by not apologising.

"This is where you are sticking on to the ego not apologizing... It may be Kamala Haasan or anyone...it is the sentiments of the masses of the state that has been undermined is what the problem has arisen about...You should understand magnitude of the problem. It can lead to something else... If your intention is this (letter to the chamber) why not end it with...It is an explanation for a clarification," the bench said.

To this, Chinnappa said that it was not a clarification that he was offering but a declaration of a stand, LiveLaw reported.

"He (Kamala Haasan) said 'Art can wait and he says release can wait in Karnataka',” Chinnappa told the court.

"We will have a dialogue with KFCC. If they are willing to discuss it, we will discuss. Whatever is written in the letter is sincere. I'm not asking for police protection for today. My lord may adjourn the matter for a week," he submitted.

The court then declared that given the lack of apology, and till a dialogue happens with the KFCC, the screening of Thug Life would not be made in Karnataka 

The next hearing is on June 10.

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