Actor-politician Kamal Haasan has decided not to release his film 'Thug Life' in Karnataka after the Karnataka High Court told him to resolve the matter by apologising, during the hearing of his petition to enable the release and screening of the film in the state. 3g5q2
Discussing the backlash over his "Kannada language originated from Tamil" remark, the Karnataka HC told Haasan that if his statement had hurt the sentiments of the people of Karnataka, he should offer an apology. However, his counsel asserted that Haasan has not said anything bad about Kannada and "there is nothing to apologise for."
The actor said he'd rather wait for his film's release, and have a dialogue first with the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) to "explain" his controversial comment instead. In a submission, his counsel said, "He has said that I can wait and the release of the movie in Karnataka can also wait." Senior advocate Dhyan Chinappa added, "We won’t release the movie in Karnataka for now."
Karnataka High Court Raps Kamal Haasan: 'A Single Apology Could Resolve Situation' 55722h
The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday reprimanded Haasan asking him what the basis was for his remark. "Are you a historian?" the court asked. Justice M Nagaprasanna, who presided over the hearing, said that the statement had hurt the sentiments of the people of Karnataka and questioned Haasan's refusal to offer an apology.
"Language is an emotional and cultural identity of a people," the court observed and stressed that no individual has the right to make comments that undermine the pride of an entire linguistic community
Justice Nagaprasanna remarked, "Are you a historian or a linguist to make such a statement? No language is born out of another. A single apology could have resolved the situation."
Notably, Karnataka minister Shivaraj Tangadagi on Friday announced Haasan's films will be "banned," as decided by the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC), if he does not apologise.
Haasan has responded to the backlash, saying his statement was said "out of love" and rooted in what he had learned from historians. "This is not an answer, this is an explanation. Love will never apologise," Haasan said.
