’Thug Life’ Controversy: Kamal Haasan’s language remark triggers boycott calls

Mangalore Today News Network

Bengaluru, May 28, 2025: Just a week before the release of Mani Ratnam and Kamal Haasan’s magnum opus Thug Life, a fresh controversy has erupted across Karnataka. Kamal Haasan has found himself in trouble for "disrespecting" the Kannada language in his effort to glorify his own mother tongue.

At the audio launch of the movie in Chennai, Kamal Haasan is seen claiming that "Kannada was born out of Tamil", and his remark has irked many, with several influential personalities across Karnataka expressing their anger.

Amid growing boycott calls for Thug Life, several outfits in Karnataka are planning to ban the movie unless Kamal Haasan issues a public apology.

On the other hand, the controversy grew exponentially after Karnataka BJP President BY Vijayendra accused Kamal Haasan of "disrespecting" the Kannada language in his effort to glorify his mother tongue.

He further emphasised that such statements are "unpardonable" and requested Kannadigas to actively voice their opinion on this insult to their linguistic identity.

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The President of Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (Praveen Shetty faction) planned to confront the Thug Life cast and crew during their promotional event in Bengaluru on Tuesday, but the team had already left the venue before the group arrived.

“Today, we are giving a strong warning to him. You want to do business in Karnataka and show your movies, stop insulting Kannada and Kannadigas. You were here to promote a movie, but departed even before the Karnataka Rakshana Vedike reached there to blacken your face,” the statement by Praveen Shetty read.

Amid the growing tensions, Kamal Haasan continues to receive criticism from Kannadigas for disrespecting their language. Even Kamal is getting online hate from Kannada language supporters, who allege that his recent statement disrespects their linguistic heritage.

Meanwhile, the Thug Life makers and Kamal Haasan are tight-lipped about the event and have yet to react to this news, while the situation remains tense and continues to stir public outrage in Karnataka.

Produced by Kamal Haasan’s Raaj Kamal Films International, Mani Ratnam’s Madras Talkies, R. Mahendran, and Siva Ananth, Thug Life boasts an ensemble cast of stellar performers. Kamal Haasan leads the film as Rangaraaya Sakthivel Naicker, alongside Silambarasan TR, Trisha Krishnan, Ashok Selvan, Aishwarya Lekshmi, Joju George, Ali Fazal, Sanya Malhotra, and Rohit Saraf, among others.

With Mani Ratnam at the helm and AR Rahman’s music, Thug Life is all set for a worldwide theatrical release on June 5, 2025.