How can you say Kannada was born out of Tamil? Karnataka HC raps Kamal Haasan over ‘Tamil-origin’ remark

Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday came down heavily on actor-politician Kamal Haasan during the hearing of a petition challenging the proposed ban on the screening of his upcoming Tamil film Thug Life in the state.

Justice M Nagaprasanna, who presided over the hearing, said that Kamal Hassan's controversial statement had hurt the sentiments of the people of Karnataka and questioned actor's refusal to offer an apology.

"Discretion is the best part of valour, we will not permit anybody's sentiments to be taken for a ride. Mistakes happen; you must know what to do when mistakes happen. You say crores are spent, then leave Karnataka," the court observed.

The bench questioned Haasan’s refusal to apologise for his controversial remark that “Kannada was born out of Tamil,” which had triggered widespread outrage in the state.

“No citizen has the right to hurt sentiments. Jala, Nila, and Bashe, three things are important to citizens. The division of this country is on linguistic lines. A public figure cannot make such a statement. What has happened because of it is unrest and disharmony… You are a public figure—how can you say Kannada was born out of Tamil? Are you a historian? Are you a linguist?” the cout asked.

The court also pointed out that the situation could have been diffused with a simple apology.

The advocate appearing for Hassan said he would return to the court at 2:30 pm.

"You use your good office and come back, all is well that ends well. I will take it at 2.30 pm," the Court said, indicating that if the Cine Star were to apologise, the matter would be settled.

Haasan's move follows the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) announcement of a boycott of the film unless the actor publicly apologises for his recent remark that "Kannada language originated from Tamil". The remarks made during a promotional event in Chennai triggered widespread backlash from pro-Kannada organisations and sparked a political row.

In a writ petition filed by Haasan's production house Raaj Kamal Films International, the actor requested the high court to restrain any individual, group, or authority—including the KFCC and state officials—from obstructing the screening of the film in Karnataka. The petition also sought police protection for the film's cast, crew, theatre owners, and audiences, citing potential threats of disruption.