Renowned actor and politician Kamal Haasan is currently in the spotlight due to a controversy that has impacted the release of his upcoming film ‘Thug Life’ in Karnataka. The issue started when Haasan, during a promotional event for the film, stated that the Kannada language originated from Tamil. This remark did not go down well with Kannada activists and political leaders, sparking widespread criticism and backlash.
As a result of this statement, several Kannada organizations and political figures accused Haasan of disrespecting Kannada culture and demanded an immediate public apology. They warned that if Haasan did not apologise, the release of ‘Thug Life’ in Karnataka would be stopped. The Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) also issued a strong statement, asking the actor to correct his statement publicly.
Despite the growing pressure from various groups, Kamal Haasan refused to apologise. He clarified that his statement was based on historical references and made out of affection for both languages. Haasan said, “If my words hurt anyone, I regret it, but I will not apologise for speaking the truth.” This strong stance created further anger among Kannada groups, who felt Haasan was being arrogant and dismissive of their sentiments.
The matter soon reached the Karnataka High Court, where a petition was filed demanding a stay on the film’s release in the state. Haasan’s legal team appeared in court and explained that his statement was misunderstood and that he had no intention of insulting any language. They emphasized that Haasan respects Kannada and its culture. However, the court noted that Haasan’s refusal to apologise could be seen as a lack of sensitivity toward the feelings of the Kannada-speaking population.
Due to this legal and social pressure, the release of ‘Thug Life’ has been delayed in Karnataka. The production company, Raajkamal Films International, submitted a letter to the court stating that the film’s release in Karnataka will be postponed by one week. The film, directed by the legendary Mani Ratnam, was originally scheduled to release on June 5, 2025, in multiple languages including Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada.
This situation has now turned into a larger debate about freedom of speech, linguistic pride, and cultural identity. Many celebrities and political figures are taking sides. While some support Haasan’s right to speak openly about language history, others believe that public figures should be more careful and respectful when making such statements.
Several fans of Kamal Haasan are also divided. Some say that he has always stood for truth and integrity, while others feel that a simple apology would have avoided the controversy. On social media, hashtags like #KamalHaasan, #ThugLife, #KarnatakaControversy, and #LanguageDebate is trending, showing how deeply the issue has touched public sentiment.
Kamal Haasan is not new to controversies. As a filmmaker and politician, he has always voiced bold opinions. In past interviews, he has spoken about the unity of Indian languages, and how all languages in India share a common cultural heritage. However, this time, the interpretation of his words seems to have caused more harm than intended.
Industry insiders worry that the postponement of ‘Thug Life’ in Karnataka could affect the film’s overall box office performance. Karnataka is one of the key markets for Indian films, and a delay there could lead to piracy, revenue loss, and fan dissatisfaction. However, Raajkamal Films remains hopeful that the issue will be resolved soon and that audiences in Karnataka will eventually get to see the film in theaters.
Despite the controversy, ‘Thug Life’ remains one of the most awaited films of the year. The movie brings together the dream team of Kamal Haasan and Mani Ratnam, with music by A.R. Rahman. The story reportedly explores themes of crime, redemption, and justice, and is expected to showcase Haasan in a powerful role.
As the situation continues to evolve, the focus now shifts to whether Kamal Haasan will change his stance, whether the KFCC will lift its objection, and how the public in Karnataka will respond to the delayed release. One thing is clear: language and culture remain deeply emotional topics in India, and any public figure speaking on them must tread carefully.
In the meantime, fans across other parts of India are excited to see the film on its original release date, June 5. As for Karnataka, it may take a few more days before the situation becomes stable and ‘Thug Life’ finally hits screens in the state.
