‘Thug Life’ Actor Faces Uproar Before Rajya Sabha Nomination: Kamal Haasan's Effigies Burnt

By Sharad Rai

The flames of a linguistic row in the South have now reached actor Kamal Haasan. A recent statement made by him has added fuel to the fire. Among his admirers, there is growing concern that his upcoming film Thug Life may derail his political career. Reports have surfaced from several cities in Karnataka where Kamal Haasan’s posters and effigies are being burned—coinciding with speculation that he may soon be nominated to India’s Upper House of Parliament, the Rajya Sabha.

What Happened?

Kamal Haasan’s Tamil film Thug Life is set for nationwide release on June 5, 2025. Currently engaged in promoting the film, Kamal Haasan attended an audio launch event in Bengaluru on Wednesday. While there, he made a controversial remark about language, saying, “Kannada is born out of Tamil.”
He even gestured toward co-star Shivraj Kumar, who was seated on stage, stating that he too is part of the Tamil family, having merely settled elsewhere. Shivraj Kumar, a prominent Kannada actor, remained silent—his lack of response also drawing criticism from the public.

The comment deeply offended Kannada speakers. The Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (a pro-Kannada organization) condemned the statement as an insult to the Kannada language. Not only have they launched protests against Kamal Haasan, but a legal complaint has also been filed. Protests have intensified in cities such as Belagavi, Mysuru, Hubbali, and Bengaluru. Slogans against Kamal are being chanted, and his posters are being set on fire.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah commented, “Kannada has a long and rich history. He (Kamal Haasan) is clearly unaware of it.”
State BJP chief B. Y. Vijayendra added, “This is an insult to the Kannada language. He must offer an unconditional apology.”

Meanwhile, Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce President M. Nrusimhalu has stated that Kamal Haasan’s film Thug Life should not be allowed to release in the state. The film, directed by renowned filmmaker Mani Ratnam, is slated to hit theatres on June 5.

Kamal Haasan’s Rajya Sabha Nomination

Amidst this turmoil, reports suggest that Kamal Haasan is being considered for a Rajya Sabha seat. Tamil Nadu’s ruling party DMK (Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam) has nominated four candidates for the Upper House, and Kamal Haasan's political party MNM (Makkal Needhi Maiam), an ally of DMK, is likely to receive one seat. MNM has officially nominated Kamal Haasan for the position.

It is also worth noting that just a few weeks ago, Tamil Nadu witnessed a protest against the Hindi language. Now Kamal’s recent remark has triggered another linguistic controversy—this time between Tamil and Kannada speakers.

Kamal Haasan’s Response

As expected in the age of social media, backlash was swift. In an attempt to control the damage, Kamal Haasan issued a clarification, saying his comments stemmed from his deep love for the Tamil language. He emphasized that he and his family are Tamil, and that he spoke from what he had read, heard, and understood.

Regarding the criticism from political leaders, Kamal responded that this is not a political issue, but one for historians, archaeologists, and linguists to debate. He even questioned the knowledge and scholarship of politicians, including himself.

Meanwhile, with ongoing debates around language in Tamil Nadu (under Stalin’s leadership), Marathi pride gaining political traction in Maharashtra (via Raj Thackeray’s MNS), Kamal Haasan’s remark has added a new dimension to the linguistic discourse in Karnataka as well.

As things stand, Kamal Haasan finds himself in a precarious position—embroiled in controversy just days before the release of Thug Life and his expected Rajya Sabha nomination on May 19.

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