Take Back Your Words or Face Ban On Films: Pro-Kannada Activists Warn Kamal Haasan Over Kannada-Tamil Remark

Narayana Gowda, the president of the Karnataka Rakshana Vedike, has come down heavily on veteran actor Kamal Haasan for his recent remark about the Kannada language's roots to Tamil.. Gowda demanded that the actor withdraw his statement, warning that if Kamal Haasan fails to apologise, his upcoming film Thug Life and any future releases will be banned in Karnataka.

The controversy erupted after Kamal Haasan, while speaking at the audio launch of Thug Life in Chennai, said, "Kannada was born out of Tamil." The remark, made in the presence of Kannada actor Shiva Rajkumar-who appeared to nod in agreement-sparked immediate backlash from Kannada language activists.

Slamming the statement, Narayana Gowda said, "Kamal Haasan should immediately take back his words. We won't allow Thug Life or any of his movies to release in Karnataka unless he issues a public apology."

Praveen Shetty, president of the group, publicly criticised the actor and said that he is attempting to belittle its cultural identity. "You want to make money in Karnataka, but you speak against our language? That won't be tolerated," he reportedly said.

He also revealed that Kannada activists were prepared to stage protests and symbolic demonstrations, including blackening actor's face as a form of protest. "We couldn't act because he fled the state soon after making that statement," he claimed as reported by TOI.

The situation has reignited linguistic sensitivities in South India, where language pride is deeply rooted in regional identity.

As of now, all eyes are on Kamal Haasan-whether he will address the growing unrest or risk a full-blown boycott in Karnataka.