Ram Gopal Varma Defends Kamal Haasan Amid ‘Thug Life’ Ban Calls In Karnataka, Later Deletes Tweet

Ram Gopal Varma defends Kamal Haasan amid backlash over his Kannada language remarks, slamming calls to ban ‘Thug Life’ in Karnataka as “hooliganism.”

Kamal Haasan faces backlash over his comments on the Kannada language during promotions for his film 'Thug Life'. Filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma defends the actor, calling the threats against the film "a new kind of hooliganism."

Source : IMDb

Actor Kamal Haasan’s recent comments on the Kannada language have sparked major backlash during promotions for his upcoming film 'Thug Life'. While several pro-Kannada groups expressed outrage, filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma has come out in support of the veteran actor, condemning the threats and proposed ban on the film in Karnataka.

“New Kind of Hooliganism”: RGV Reacts Strongly

Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Ram Gopal Varma weighed in on the ongoing controversy. In a now-deleted tweet, he wrote,
 “DEMOCRACY’s new name is INTOLERANCE..,irrespective of factual correctness , threats to ban #ThugLife in Karnataka unless @ikamalhaasan apologises , amounts to a new kind of HOOLIGANISM.”

While the tweet was later removed, screenshots of the post were widely shared online, adding fuel to the conversation around freedom of expression and regional sensitivities.

Kamal Responds: “Love Will Never Apologise”

The actor, meanwhile, addressed the criticism and clarified that his remarks were not intended to offend. According to PTI, Kamal said,
 “So lets leave all this very in-depth discussions to historians, archaeologists and language experts. If you look at it from the northern point of view, according to them it is right, if you look at it from Thenkumari (south), then what I say is right. There is a third angle to it-- the scholars, the language experts. This is not an answer, an explanation. Love will never apologise.”

Kamal Haasan further stated that the comment was made with affection and urged that such linguistic debates be left to scholars and experts.

Legal Route Taken for Film Release

Following the growing protests, the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce reportedly stalled the release of Thug Life in the state. In response, Kamal has moved the Karnataka High Court seeking intervention to ensure the film’s scheduled release is not obstructed.

Directed by Mani Ratnam, Thug Life is slated for a global theatrical release on June 5.