Tamil actor Kamal Haasan has landed in a major controversy following his remarks about the Kannada language, triggering widespread backlash across Karnataka. Speaking at the audio launch of his upcoming film ‘Thug Life’ in Chennai, Haasan claimed that Kannada was "born out of" Tamil — a statement that has angered pro-Kannada groups and political leaders alike.

At the event, Haasan said, “My life and my family is Tamil language. Actor Shivarajkumar is my family living in another state. That’s why he is here. That’s why when I started my speech, I said ‘my life and my family is Tamil’. Your language (Kannada) was born out of Tamil. So you are included in that line.”

While Shivarajkumar, a prominent Kannada actor present at the event, appeared supportive and unfazed by the statement, the public reaction in Karnataka was anything but calm. Several pro-Kannada activists took to the streets in protest. In Bengaluru and other districts, demonstrators were seen tearing down posters of Thug Life and issuing threats of boycott.

Praveen Shetty, leader of the Kannada Rakshana Vedike, strongly condemned Haasan’s remarks. “We are warning Kamal, you need business in Karnataka? And yet insulting Kannada. Today you were here in the state and we were ready to apply black ink to you and you’ve run away. We warn you, if you talk against Karnataka and people of state, there’ll be protests against you. We warn you, your movie will be banned in Karnataka,” Shetty said.

Reports also emerged that Haasan had cancelled a promotional event in Bengaluru due to the protests. Some protestors claimed they had gathered with black ink intending to confront the actor.

Adding to the outrage, BJP Karnataka State President BY Vijayendra called Haasan’s comment “uncultured behaviour”. In a tweet, he said, “Kamal Haasan, who is supposed to bring harmony to South India, has been continuously insulting Hinduism and hurting religious sentiments for the past few years. Now, he has insulted Kannada by hurting the self-respect of 6.5 crore Kannadigas. Kamal Haasan should immediately apologise unconditionally to Kannadigas.”