Bengaluru Court Silences Kamal Haasan: Gag Order Issued Over Kannada Language Remarks

Kamal Haasan, the renowned actor, is now legally barred from making potentially defamatory statements regarding the Kannada language and culture. This development follows controversial remarks he made last month during a promotional event for his film Thug Life, sparking considerable backlash and even leading to a ban of the film in Bengaluru.

An ex parte interim injunction was issued by a Bengaluru civil court, preventing the actor from making future statements against the Kannada language or culture.

Court Order Restricts Haasan's Speech

The ruling, delivered by an Additional City Civil and Sessions Judge on Friday, came after a civil suit was filed by Mahesh Joshi, President of the Kannada Sahitya Parishat (KSP). The petition sought legal restraint on Kamal Haasan from delivering "defamatory remarks" about the language and its cultural roots, according to PTI.

The court order specifically prohibits Haasan from “posting, making, writing, or publishing any statement or remarks claiming linguistic superiority over the Kannada language or making any statements against the Kannada language, literature, land, and culture.”

A summons has also been issued, requiring the actor to appear in person for the next hearing, scheduled for August 30.

Controversial Comments Sparked Outrage

The controversy stems from comments Kamal Haasan made in May during a Thug Life promotional event in Bengaluru. He stated that “Kannada was born out of Tamil,” a remark that angered Kannada activists and cultural organizations. The situation escalated when Haasan declined to retract his statement or issue an apology. Ultimately, Thug Life did not release in Karnataka, despite efforts from the production house and Haasan himself to appeal to the High Court.

About Thug Life

Thug Life, directed by Mani Ratnam, features Silambarasan, Trisha Krishnan, Aishwarya Lekshmi, and other prominent actors. The film has unfortunately underperformed at the box office.