Kamal Haasan's Bold Stand Against Hindi Imposition Amid Thug Life Controversy

Kamal Haasan has ignited a debate over Hindi imposition in non-Hindi-speaking states while promoting his film Thug Life. His comments about Kannada's origins sparked outrage in Karnataka, leading to the film's ban in the state. Despite the backlash, Haasan stands firm, advocating for linguistic inclusivity and emphasizing the importance of education without imposition. He also highlights the frustrations of non-Hindi speakers regarding job opportunities and language rights. The controversy escalated during the film's audio launch, where Haasan paid tribute to his Tamil roots. The Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce has threatened to ban the film unless he apologizes, potentially resulting in significant financial losses.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 8, 2025, 11:00 IST

Kamal Haasan Addresses Hindi Imposition

Kamal Haasan, renowned for his candid views on political and cultural matters, has sparked a fresh debate by discussing the contentious issue of Hindi imposition in states where Hindi is not the primary language, all while promoting his latest film, Thug Life.

The uproar began when Haasan claimed that Kannada has its roots in Tamil, which led to significant backlash in Karnataka, resulting in the film's non-release in the state. Despite the criticism, Haasan remained resolute, reminding detractors of his contributions to Hindi cinema.

Referencing his classic film, Ek Duuje Ke Liye, Haasan stated, “I am the actor from Ek Duuje Ke Liye,” highlighting his connection to Hindi films.

On the topic of language imposition, he asserted, “Without imposition, we will learn. Don’t impose, because this is ultimately education and we must take the shortest route to education… and not put hurdles in its way.”

Haasan stressed that the resistance to Hindi imposition is not limited to southern states, expressing solidarity with various regions: “I stand with Punjab. I stand with Karnataka. I stand with Andhra. This is not only place which is resenting imposition.”

He pointed out that English might be the most effective language for global competitiveness, given India's historical relationship with it. “And English seems to be fair enough. You can do Spanish also, or Chinese. But I think the most practical thing where the shortest route to that is that we have 350 years of English education, slowly but steadily. So when you suddenly replace it, it’s all over again. You make unnecessarily many people illiterate, especially in Tamil Nadu.”

Haasan articulated the concerns of non-Hindi speakers, stating, “You suddenly force all through Hindi and you tell them that you will not get your job beyond the Vindhyas, then you start wondering, what about the promises? What about my language? Am I not one of the 22 (official languages)? These are the questions that are coming.”

The controversy surrounding Thug Life intensified during its audio launch in Chennai, where Haasan paid homage to his Tamil heritage, declaring, “Uyire Urave Tamizhe,” which translates to “My life and my family is Tamil.” He also acknowledged Kannada superstar Shivarajkumar, stating, “Your language was born out of Tamil. So, you are included in that line.”

In response, the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) threatened to prohibit the film's release in the state unless Haasan issued an apology. Industry analysts predict that the gangster thriller could incur losses of Rs 35–40 crore in gross box office revenue and Rs 12–15 crore in distributor shares due to the ban in Karnataka.