Kamal Haasan defiant amid Kannada controversy: Will only apologise if I am wrong

Veteran actor Kamal Haasan on Friday dismissed demands for a public apology over his recent remarks on Kannada films, asserting that he would apologise only if he were in the wrong.

Which he believes is not the case in the current controversy. The actor said this is his way of life, and urged people not to interfere with it. “If I’m wrong, I’ll apologise. If I’m not, I won’t. This is my lifestyle, please don’t tamper with it,” the 70-year-old actor told India Today. He added, “India is a democratic country, and I believe in law and justice”.

Actor-politician Kamal Haasan’s recent claim that “Kannada was born out of Tamil”, made during a promotional event for his upcoming film Thug Life, has sparked widespread outrage in Karnataka, with pro-Kannada groups, cultural organisations, and several political leaders targetting the actor and demanding an apology.

Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) had announced that it will not allow the release Thug Life in Karnataka unless Kamal Haasan issues a public apology by Friday.

When questioned about these threats, the actor simply responded, “I’ve been threatened before”.