Kamal Haasan, who is embroiled in the language controversy, had filed a petition in the High Court seeking protection for the release of the film in Karnataka. The High Court observed during the hearing that, being a public figure, Kamal Haasan should refrain from making such statements that hurt anyone's sentiments. Recently, during the audio release of the film in Chennai, Kamal Haasan had said that the Kannada language originated from the Tamil language.
Kamal Haasan's statement led to unrest in Karnataka: HC
His statement was strongly opposed by pro-Kannada organisations in Karnataka, and the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce and Kannada organisations demanded that the film not be released in Karnataka. The film's production company, Rajkamal Films, filed a petition in the Karnataka High Court to release the film with police protection. During the hearing of the case today, the High Court also commented on Kamal Haasan's statement and said that he is neither a historian nor a language expert, so he should avoid such comments and when the people of Karnataka are asking him for an apology, what is the problem in apologising.
The petitioner at present is not willing to screen Thug Life in Karnataka: HC
In the High Court, Kamal Haasan's lawyer said that Kamal Haasan has replied to the letter received from the Film Chambers demanding an apology. The court also read that letter and said that in this letter he has given clarification, but has not talked about the apology. On this, Kamal Haasan's lawyer said that he does not want to release the film in Karnataka right now; he will decide this after talking to the Film Chambers. After which, the court postponed the case till June 10.
What is the Kamal Haasan-Kannada controversy?
Let us tell you that the Kannada language controversy started during the promotional event of the film 'Thug Life'. Kamal Haasan was accompanied by Trisha Krishnan and Silambarasan TR during the promotion, where, while speaking about the cultural and linguistic ties of South India, Haasan said that 'Kannada language originated from Tamil'. This statement of Haasan was sharply criticised.
Moreover, Kamal Haasan was given a 24-hour ultimatum by the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce to apologise, failing which his film would not be allowed to be released in Karnataka. However, the actor refused to apologise and knocked on the doors of the Karnataka High Court for the release of his film. 'This is a democracy. I believe in law and justice. My love for Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala is true. No one will doubt this, except those who have an agenda. I have been threatened before. If I am wrong, I will apologise; if I am not wrong, I will not,' read his statement.
Karnataka HC rebukes Kama Haasan
Critising Haasan for his controversial remarks, the Karnataka High Court stated that the petitioner may be an actor, but he does not have the right to hurt the sentiments of the masses. 'There is no apology in it. You may be Kamala Hassan or anybody, you cannot hurt the sentiments of the masses. The division of this country is on linguistic lines. A public figure cannot make such a statement. What has happened because of it unrest and disharmony, the people of Karnataka only asked for an apology. Now you come here seeking protection. On what basis have you made the statement, are you a historian or a linguist? On what basis did you speak?' the bench said on Tuesday.
Mani Ratnam's directorial Kamal Haasan starrer Thug Life will be released worldwide on June 5. Other than Kamal, the film features Trisha Krishnan and Silambarasan TR in pivotal roles.
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