Veteran actor Kamal Haasan has announced that his pan-Indian gangster film Thug Life will not be released in Karnataka, following backlash over his remarks on the origins of the Kannada language.

The controversy erupted after Kamal Haasan stated that Tamil is historically older, with Kannada having linguistic ties to it. Protesters demanded an apology, which the actor declined to give.

In a letter to the Kannada Film Chamber of Commerce, Haasan clarified that apologies are for actual mistakes, not for statements based on historical facts. The decision not to release the film in Karnataka could lead to an estimated loss of ₹12–15 crore, according to OneIndia.

Despite the financial impact, Haasan has garnered massive online support. The hashtag #IStandWithKamalHaasan trended widely, with users backing his refusal to apologise and asserting that his comments were rooted in linguistic scholarship rather than disrespect.

Supporters pointed out that Tamil is considered the world's oldest living language, and its influence on Kannada is part of documented history. Social media posts cited textbook excerpts and expert opinions reinforcing this view. Many also emphasised the importance of mutual respect and dialogue rather than polarisation.

Thug Life, directed by Mani Ratnam, stars Kamal Haasan, Silambarasan TR, Trisha Krishnan, Abhirami, and Sanya Malhotra. While it won’t screen in Karnataka, it is expected to open strongly across other regions this weekend.