Kamal Haasan stirred controversy at the Thug Life audio launch by suggesting that the Kannada language has its roots in Tamil. The film’s makers claim the Karnataka government failed to act on threats from fringe groups, with no FIRs filed despite calls for violence. They’ve approached the Supreme Court, citing a violation of free speech.

Haasan later clarified that his statement was out of respect for Shiva Rajkumar and not meant to insult Kannada, calling the backlash a misunderstanding.