Tamil Nadu actors' body supports Kamal Haasan amid backlash from Karnataka
Chennai: The South Indian Artistes’ Association (SIAA), the main body for film, television, and stage actors in Tamil Nadu, has come out in support of veteran actor Kamal Haasan after his recent remarks on the Kannada language drew criticism in Karnataka.
According to The News Minute, the Karnataka Film Chamber has threatened to ban Haasan’s upcoming film Thug Life, which is set to release on June 5, 2025.
In a statement issued on Friday, May 30, the SIAA urged the Karnataka government, the Kannada film industry, and the people of the state to understand the true meaning behind Haasan’s words. The association warned that the ongoing campaign against the actor could create a “dark precedent” for cinema and public conversations.
Quoting the SIAA, The News Minute wrote, “To portray Kamal Haasan as anti-Kannada is entirely unacceptable.” The association said it was unfair to misrepresent someone like Haasan, who has always promoted unity beyond regional and language barriers.
“Kamal Haasan is a legendary artist who has transcended barriers of caste, religion, race, and language,” the statement read. “To question his integrity is to insult decades of cultural unity and artistic excellence,” the association said.
The SIAA also highlighted Haasan’s long-standing ties with Karnataka, mentioning his friendship with late Kannada superstar Dr Rajkumar and his bond with actor-playwright Girish Karnad. The statement recalled Haasan’s public appeal for Dr Rajkumar’s release when he was kidnapped by forest brigand Veerappan in 2000. “He has always considered Dr Rajkumar as a brother and holds Dr Shivarajkumar in the regard of a son,” the letter noted.
The controversy began during the audio launch of Thug Life, where Haasan said, “Tamil gave birth to Kannada.” This comment was criticised by pro-Kannada groups, who claimed it belittled the Kannada language and hurt the feelings of Kannadigas. Protests have broken out in different parts of Karnataka, with some activists threatening to stop the film’s release.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah also responded to the issue. “Kannada has a long and well-documented history. Poor Kamal Haasan. He is simply unaware of it,” the Chief Minister said.
BJP leader and Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly, R Ashoka, called Haasan a “mental patient” and accused him of insulting Kannada culture. “I urge the government to ban all Kamal Haasan films in Karnataka. If not, he will continue to behave like a mental patient,” he said. Ashoka also alleged that Haasan has a history of making hurtful remarks about Karnataka and the Kannada language.
Meanwhile, linguists have clarified that both Kannada and Tamil come from the Dravidian language family and share a common proto-Dravidian ancestor. Over centuries, both languages have grown in their own ways, forming unique cultural and literary traditions.
This controversy comes at a time when Kamal Haasan’s political party, Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM), has recently secured a Rajya Sabha seat through its alliance with the ruling DMK in Tamil Nadu.
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Pak, Afghan forces trade fire along Chaman border: Report
Islamabad (PTI): A heavy exchange of fire between Pakistani and Afghan forces was reported from the key Chaman border, according to a media report on Saturday.
Injuries were reported from the district hospital, but no fatalities occurred, the Dawn newspaper reported.
Officials from both sides accused each other of instigating the flare-up late on Friday night across the border in the Balochistan province.
While Pakistani officials said that Afghan forces had fired mortar shells on the Badani area, Afghan Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid claimed it was Pakistan that launched an attack on Spin Boldak, alleging that their forces were responding.
Pakistan's official sources told Dawn that Pakistani forces retaliated against the Afghan aggression and returned fire.
There were also reports of fighting on the Chaman-Kandahar highway, but these could not be immediately verified.
A senior official in Quetta confirmed on condition of anonymity that the exchange of fire started around 10 pm and continued until late at night.
The medical superintendent of Chaman district hospital said that three injured, including a woman, were brought to the medical facility.
There was neither any official word from the Inter-Services Public Relations -- Pakistan Army's media wing -- nor from the Foreign Office.
The Chaman border crossing, also known as Friendship Gate, connects Balochistan province to Afghanistan’s Kandahar.
Relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan have deteriorated amidst regular allegations by Pakistan regarding the failure of the Afghan regime to deny safe havens to Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan terrorists.
The two countries had agreed on a ceasefire following tensions last month, but the Foreign Office said last month that technically there was no truce as it was contingent on the Afghan Taliban stopping terrorist attacks in Pakistan, which they had failed to do.
