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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Iran warns of ‘uncontrollable consequences’ after energy site strike
Qatar warns residents of ‘Elavated’ threat
Tehran/Doha: Iran’s President Massoud Pezeshkian has warned that attacks on the country’s energy infrastructure could lead to “uncontrollable consequences” affecting the entire world.
In a post on X, Pezeshkian said he “strongly condemns” the strikes that targeted the South Pars gasfield earlier in the day.
“Such aggressive actions will not achieve anything for the American Zionist enemy and their supporters. Rather, they will complicate the situation and could lead to uncontrollable consequences that will affect the entire world,” he said.
Meanwhile, Qatar’s Ministry of Interior has urged residents to remain indoors due to what it described as an elevated security threat.
Authorities have not provided further details, but the advisory comes amid growing concerns over the safety of energy infrastructure and civilian areas in the region.
