In Bengaluru, the courtroom lights dimmed on Kamal Haasan’s freedom to opine—at least when it comes to Kannada. A local court has barred the actor-politician from making any comments that could be construed as defamatory to the Kannada language, its literature, land, or culture.
The order came courtesy of Additional City Civil and Sessions Judge Madhu N R, acting on a suit filed by the Kannada Sahitya Parishat and its president, Nadoja Dr. Mahesh Joshi. At the heart of the legal storm? Haasan’s controversial declaration during the Thug Life audio launch that “Kannada was born out of Tamil.”
The plaintiffs weren’t amused.
The court’s interim injunction slaps a temporary gag on Haasan and anyone operating in his orbit—from agents to representatives—barring them from uttering, posting, publishing, or distributing anything that suggests Tamil’s linguistic superiority over Kannada, or anything else that might hurt Kannada pride.
The suit seeks more than silence. It also demands a full, public apology from Haasan to Kannadigas for what the plaintiffs deemed a “deeply offensive” remark.
Judge Madhu N R laid out a clear procedural path for the plaintiffs too—invoking Order 39 Rule 3(a) and Order 1 Rule 8(2) of the Civil Procedure Code. Translation? The Kannada Sahitya Parishat has to notify the public (since it claims to represent all Kannadigas) and move forward with summons and formalities within a week. Miss the deadline, and the injunction evaporates.
Meanwhile, the court has officially summoned Haasan and scheduled the next hearing for August 30.
This courtroom drama is just one layer of a growing controversy. Haasan’s comment sparked an outcry across Karnataka, with social media storms, boycott calls against Thug Life, and growing public discontent. The actor, not one to stay quiet, tried to shield the film’s release by approaching the Karnataka High Court. When that didn’t work, he made a direct pitch to the Supreme Court.
The country’s highest bench didn’t spare the state either—scolding Karnataka for letting mob sentiment throttle artistic freedom. The court instructed the government to ensure Thug Life could be released peacefully.
But while the film might see the light of day, Kamal Haasan’s opinions on Kannada? For now, strictly under judicial lock and key.
