Actor Kamal Haasan
Credit: PTI Photo
Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday pulled up actor Kamal Haasan for his statement that Kannada originated from Tamil language.
Justice M Nagaprasanna orally asked the counsel representing the petitioner Raajkamal Films International to instruct the actor to apologise. The petitioner is the producer of the movie Thug Life, which is set to release on June 5.
During the hearing, the court asked as to why the actor cannot apologise like Rajagopalachari did in 1950 on a similar statement, and later by Tamil actor Rajinikanth over an issue relating to the language. “You (Kamal Haasan) have no right to hurt people's sentiments. In this country, Jala (water) nela (land) bhashe (language) are dear to the people. What did people of Karnataka ask? An apology? There is no apology or an explanation. This circumstance has been created by Kamal Haasan,” Justice Nagaprasanna said.
“There are two sets of things. One a victim of circumstance and the other who generates the circumstance,” the court said further adding that spoken words cannot be taken back but can only be apologised for.
“Discretion is the best part of valor. We will not permit anybody’s sentiments to be taken for a ride like this by a public figure in a public forum. Mistakes do happen. We are not here for tongue bashing. When mistakes happen what must be done you must know. You cannot unscramble the scrambled egg. You have let it go beyond control. All will be well that ends well,” the court said orally.
The petitioner, producer of t the movie, is before the high court challenging the resolution by the Karnataka Film Chamber Commerce (KFCC) to ban the release of the movie in Karnataka. The KFCC decided to ban the movie owing to the actor’s statement that "Kannada was born out of Tamil".