Actor-politician Kamal Haasan has decided to postpone filing his Rajya Sabha nomination following controversy surrounding his recent comments about the Kannada language. The nomination, which was originally scheduled for this week, has reportedly been deferred until after the release of his upcoming film Thug Life. The decision was taken after strong backlash erupted in Karnataka over his remarks that “Kannada is born out of Tamil.”
Haasan was named one of the official candidates for the Rajya Sabha by the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) on May 28 as part of a political alliance with his party, Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM). The nomination is part of the DMK-MNM electoral pact formed during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, in which MNM extended support to the DMK-led alliance in Tamil Nadu in return for a Rajya Sabha seat for Haasan.
The controversy began during a promotional event for Thug Life, where Haasan commented on the linguistic origins of Kannada, claiming it stemmed from Tamil. This statement triggered protests across Karnataka, with pro-Kannada organizations demanding an apology and calling for a boycott of his film. The Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce sided with the protesters and blocked the film’s release in the state.
In response, Kamal Haasan moved the Karnataka High Court seeking protection for the screening of Thug Life. However, during the legal proceedings, he chose not to proceed with the film’s release in Karnataka, emphasizing that his comments were misinterpreted and insisting he would not issue an apology. "I have done nothing wrong," he stated, maintaining his stance amid political and public criticism.
The ongoing controversy has not only stalled the release of Thug Life in Karnataka but also led to a strategic delay in Haasan’s political progression. Elections for six Rajya Sabha seats from Tamil Nadu are set for June 19, and DMK’s announcement had made Haasan’s Parliament entry appear imminent. However, with mounting tensions, his party and allies are treading carefully. While Kamal Haasan remains steadfast in his views, the political sensitivity of the situation has prompted a temporary pause in his Rajya Sabha journey, as the focus shifts to managing public perception and navigating the fallout of a politically and culturally charged controversy.
