By Bharat Global Time | May 28, 2025
What was supposed to be a dazzling film event quickly turned into a full-blown language debate — because, well, Kamal Haasan happened.
At the audio launch of his upcoming movie Thug Life in Chennai (May 27), the iconic actor-director-politician — known for never shying away from a controversial statement — said something that lit a spark across state lines.
“Kannada was born out of Tamil.”
Yep. That’s what he said. And as you can imagine, folks in Karnataka weren’t thrilled.
What Followed: Protests, Posters, and Political Punches
The backlash was almost instant.
Pro-Kannada groups like Karnataka Rakshana Vedike hit the streets in places like Belagavi, burning posters and demanding that Haasan take back his words. Some even went as far as to threaten a ban on Thug Life in Karnataka unless he issued a public apology.
Politicians jumped in too. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah called the comment ignorant and dismissive of Kannada’s proud heritage. Over on the BJP side, state party president BY Vijayendra went a step further, calling the remark “uncultured.”
In short: this wasn’t just a mild misunderstanding. It blew up.
Let’s Step Back: Is There Any Truth to What He Said?
Alright, time for a little history lesson (don’t worry, we’ll keep it short).
Both Tamil and Kannada are ancient languages, part of the Dravidian family, and they do go way back — like, Proto-Dravidian back. But the idea that Kannada somehow “came from” Tamil? That’s not exactly how linguists see it.
Kannada evolved independently, with its own rich grammar, script, and literary history that goes back to at least the 5th century CE. So while they’re related, it’s not a parent-child relationship. More like distant cousins who took their own paths.
Now, maybe Haasan meant to highlight the cultural overlap between the languages. He’s a big thinker, after all. But let’s be honest — the way he said it? It came off as dismissive.
Why Now? The Political Timing Feels… Convenient?
Here’s where things get even more interesting.
There’s chatter going around that Kamal Haasan might be eyeing a Rajya Sabha seat — possibly with some help from the DMK. And let’s just say… saying something that appeals to Tamil linguistic pride could play well in certain political circles.
Whether this was a clumsy gaffe or a calculated move is up for debate. But either way, it struck a nerve. And in southern India — where language is practically sacred — that’s a risky move.
Our Two Cents: Words Have Weight, Especially Here
At Bharat Global Time, we try to look at stories not just for what happened, but why it matters. And this one? It hits at something deep.
This isn’t just about Tamil vs Kannada. It’s about respect. About identity. About how people feel when their language — their culture — is sidelined or misunderstood.
We get it, Kamal Haasan is a thinker. He likes to stir the pot. But sometimes, a little nuance goes a long way — especially in a country where language is so tightly woven into people’s sense of self.
Will he apologize? Double down? Clarify? We’ll be watching. But one thing’s for sure — in India, language is never just language. It’s everything.
What’s your take?
Do you think Kamal Haasan should say sorry? Or was his statement just blown out of proportion? Let us know in the comments below — and don’t forget to share this with your friends who love a good language
