A defamation case against actor and politician Kamal Haasan over his alleged remarks disparaging the Kannada language, literature, land, and culture has been transferred to the Special Court for MLA/MPs in Bengaluru, following his election to the Rajya Sabha from Tamil Nadu. The transfer, effected on Wednesday, 8 July 2025, moves the matter from the Kanakapura town court, where a private complaint was originally lodged, to the 42nd People's Representatives' Court in Bengaluru. The special court has adjourned the hearing to 22 July 2025.

Origins of the Controversy

The row traces back to May 2025, when Haasan, during a promotional event in Chennai, claimed that 'Kannada is born out of Tamil'. The statement triggered widespread protests across Karnataka, with political leaders, cultural organisations, and citizens demanding an unconditional apology and threatening a boycott of his film 'Thug Life'.

Haasan declined to apologise, contending that his remarks were made out of affection and were grounded in historians' views. He subsequently walked back the framing, stating that politicians — including himself — are ill-equipped to adjudicate on language origins and that the matter should be left to qualified linguists.

Karnataka High Court's Sharp Rebuke

The controversy drew an unusually pointed response from the Karnataka High Court, which noted that a single apology could have resolved the matter entirely. 'Nobody has the right to hurt sentiments,' the bench observed, questioning whether Haasan was a historian or a linguist. The court expressed displeasure, remarking that the circumstances were of the actor's own making.

'A public figure speaks like this at a public forum? You admit your remarks and yet say won't apologise,' the bench said, according to reports. The High Court had earlier also rebuked public figures more broadly for making statements that wound linguistic sentiments.

Political Fallout in Karnataka

Karnataka Chief Minister and several state political leaders publicly criticised Haasan's remarks, reflecting the depth of sentiment around language identity in the state. The controversy resurfaced in July 2025 when the private complaint was formally filed, prompting the jurisdictional transfer that now places the case before a court with authority over elected representatives.

What Happens Next

The 42nd People's Representatives' Court in Bengaluru will next take up the matter on 22 July 2025. Haasan's dual status as a public figure and a sitting Rajya Sabha member means the case will be subject to the procedural framework governing elected representatives, which could affect timelines. The outcome is being closely watched by linguistic and cultural groups in Karnataka as well as the Tamil film industry.