Kamal Haasan has addressed a letter to the President of the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) regarding the controversy surrounding his statement about the Kannada language. The actor clarified that his words were taken out of context and that he has deep respect for Kannada and its culture. Haasan's statement at the 'Thug Life' audio launch, where he mentioned that Kannada was born out of Tamil, caused a huge uproar in Karnataka, leading to the KFCC imposing a ban on the film.
In his letter, Kamal Haasan explained that his intention was not to diminish Kannada in any way but to convey that all languages are part of the same family. He expressed his genuine love and admiration for the Kannada language and its culture, stating that he has always stood for the equal dignity of all Indian languages. Haasan also regretted that Shiva Rajkumar, whom he considers his son, was dragged into the controversy because of his statement.
The actor emphasized that cinema is a universal language that knows only love and bonding, and his statement was intended to establish that bond and unity among all people. He sincerely hopes that his words will be received in the spirit they were intended and that his enduring affection for Karnataka, its people, and their language will be recognized in its true light.
Kamal Haasan's letter has been shared with the media, and the case regarding the ban on his film 'Thug Life' is currently being heard in the Karnataka High Court. The court has adjourned the case, asking Haasan to consider apologizing for his statement.