The Karnataka High Court observed on Friday that actor Kamal Haasan has not yet issued an apology for his controversial remarks concerning the Kannada language.
Consequently, the court has directed the producer of his latest film, `Thug Life`, to respond to an application filed by the Kannada Sahitya Parishat.
The Parishat`s application seeks to intervene in the producer`s pleas against the ban on the film`s release within Karnataka. The Parishat intends to present before the Court the constitutional, cultural, and linguistic concerns stemming from Haasan`s statements, particularly from the perspective of safeguarding the identity, dignity, and historical legacy of the Kannada language and culture, as reported by news agency PTI.
This legal case originates from a statement made by Haasan during the audio release of `Thug Life`, wherein he asserted that Kannada was born out of the Tamil language. His remark ignited a considerable controversy, prompting Karnataka leaders and the state`s Film Chamber to demand that the actor retract his statement and issue an apology. However, Haasan refused to apologise and opted against releasing the movie in Karnataka on June 5, the date of its worldwide release, as reported by ANI.
It is pertinent to note that on Friday, the counsel representing the production house, Raaj Kamal Films International, submitted to the court that the actor would require a week`s time to file his objections to the Kannada Sahitya Parishat`s application for impleadment. Justice M Nagaprasanna, who presided over the case, has subsequently posted the matter for hearing on June 20.
Earlier, Raaj Kamal Films International had filed a petition seeking adequate security for the film`s release in the state. According to ANI, when the matter was heard before Justice Nagaprasanna on June 3, the petitioner`s counsel maintained that there was no malicious intent behind the statement and that an apology was not warranted. They further submitted that the screening of the movie would not be insisted upon in the state until the issue could be resolved through constructive dialogue.
During the hearing, Haasan received strong criticism from the court for his contentious remark, with the court observing that a “single apology could have resolved the situation.”
(With inputs from PTI)