Amidst the criticism of Kamal Haasan, the president of the Nadigar Sangam, Nassar, has issued a statement in support of Kamal Haasan, accusing him of speaking controversially about the Kannada language. In the statement, he said:
Kamal Haasan, the world hero, is a veteran artist who has left his mark on the Indian and global stage through his works, going beyond Tamil films. He is a great creator who carries films as his breath, feeling and life.
Padma Shri Dr. Kamal Haasan has earned a permanent place in the hearts of not only the masses, but also many film stars who have won the great support and admiration of those people, regardless of religion, race or language, with his great love and artistic talent. In that regard, everyone knows about his friendship with Girish Karnad and his great commitment to writing. We would like to mention that the first production of his ‘Raajkamal Films’, ‘Raaj Paarvai’, was inaugurated with a ‘clap’ with deep brotherly affection by the Padma Bhushan, Dada Saheb Phalke, Karnataka Ratna, Amarar, Dr. Rajkumar, who was the undisputed top star of the Kannada film world.
Later, when Dr. Rajkumar was unfortunately kidnapped, no one can deny that Kamal Haasan played a significant role in the protests that condemned it and demanded his rescue.
Kamal Haasan considers Kannada superstar Dr. Rajkumar as his elder brother, his son Shivarajkumar as his son, and the Kannada people as his family. As an expression of Kamal Haasan’s immense concern for Shivrajkumar, who was recently undergoing treatment for a serious illness, Shivrajkumar himself, who was a special guest at the audio launch of the film ‘Tak Life’, recalled with great emotion how he contacted him, inquired about him and encouraged him, which moved everyone.
The impact of that emotion did not diminish, and Kamal Haasan, who then took the stage, spoke with great affection and authority, indicating that Dr. Rajkumar was his senior, that he had placed himself after him as a family member in his family, and that Shivrajkumar was the youngest in that family after him, saying, ‘Shivarajkumar, a Kannada, appeared in his family after me, a Tamilian.’
A few people, who were happy to see Shivrajkumar’s recovery, have not only misinterpreted the words expressed by Kamal Haasan, but are also rapidly spreading that misunderstanding as evil. This is causing unnecessary embarrassment and tension.
Kamal Haasan, who has consistently insisted that all Indian languages should be given due importance, is a voice of unity and a symbol of brotherhood. As an expression of this, he has been carrying out various welfare projects in the state of Karnataka for over forty years through the ‘Karnataka Kamal Haasan Charity Movement’. Kamal, who has always looked up to the Kannada language, has never had any intention of belittling them, as evidenced by his past events.
This being the truth, it is completely unacceptable to spread a false image of Kamal Haasan as being against the Kannada language and to portray him as such. No self-reflective and rational person should allow such injustice to be done to a great artist who, without any discrimination of caste, religion, race or language, crossed state and national boundaries and dedicated his entire life to the work of art.
Allowing certain people to use Kamal Haasan as a tool to divide the Kannada and Tamil people for their own gains is a very wrong precedent and may remain a huge black mark in history.
On behalf of the Tamil film industry, ‘Thennindiya Nadigar Sangam’, we respectfully request that all the lovers of Karnataka, film industry organizations and political organizations should understand the true meaning of the words uttered by Kamal Haasan as an expression of their inner love and try to stop the slander being spread against a great artist.
Any art, including language, transcends all differences and boundaries. The same applies to the people and artists who enjoy that art. All languages should live in glory, “Only love, understanding and appreciation of different cultures will bind us tightly and pave the way for a prosperous future. Unity without discrimination will be appreciated.”