Abhishek Banerjee, Rana Daggubati React to Row Over Kamal Haasan's Kannada Comment: ‘Same About Marathi-Bihari…’

A recent remark by veteran actor Kamal Haasan has sparked controversy, especially in Karnataka, leading to significant public backlash and reactions from several film industry personalities. During the promotional event for his upcoming film Thug Life, Haasan made a comment suggesting that the Kannada language had its roots in Tamil. This statement did not sit well with many in Karnataka and ignited a heated debate about linguistic history and regional identity.

The Kannada film community, led by the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC), expressed outrage and demanded an official apology from Kamal Haasan. The row escalated to the point where the Karnataka High Court criticized Haasan’s remarks and the public sentiments surrounding the issue grew more intense. In response to the backlash, Kamal Haasan made the decision not to release his film Thug Life in Karnataka, stating that he did not want to escalate tensions further. This move received a mix of reactions—some supporting his mature handling of the situation, while others saw it as an unnecessary surrender.

Weighing in on the controversy, actors Rana Daggubati and Abhishek Banerjee shared their perspectives during an interview with India Today. Rana Daggubati, known for his roles in films across multiple Indian languages, raised a significant point about the changing dynamics of public discourse in the age of social media. He stated that earlier, people had limited platforms to voice opinions, but now, social media has given everyone a stage, often resulting in things getting “touchy and political quite quickly.”

Rana emphasized that actors should not be seen as the guiding force for social or political narratives. "If the media and the news, and people become smarter and understand that actors are not the ones to advocate for the way society lives—it will be a better place," he said. He urged the public to look towards scholars, politicians, and intellectuals for shaping societal values instead of burdening film celebrities with those expectations.

Abhishek Banerjee also addressed the larger issue of regional divisions and historical language conflicts. Drawing from his own experience when he moved to Mumbai, he recalled hearing about tensions between different communities, including conflicts between Marathi and Bihari people. “I heard the same thing about the Marathi-Bihari and Kannada-Tamil conflict, which has been going on. I feel it's completely worthless and useless,” he remarked.

Banerjee strongly criticized those who stir up linguistic or regional tensions, suggesting that such actions are typically driven by individuals seeking attention rather than meaningful change. He also highlighted that language should be used as a medium for education, communication, and cultural enrichment, rather than as a weapon of division.

The entire episode has reignited discussions on the responsibilities of public figures, the sensitivity surrounding linguistic identities in India, and the growing influence of social media in shaping public perception. As the controversy continues, the hope remains that dialogue, understanding, and cultural respect will ultimately prevail.