The recent controversy sparked by actor-politician Kamal Haasan's remark that "Kannada was born out of Tamil" continues to reverberate throughout Karnataka. While the statement, made during a film promotion event in Chennai, has drawn condemnation and calls for boycotts, some voices are urging for calm and understanding. Among them is Kannada actor Shivrajkumar, who was present during Haasan's speech and is now caught in the crossfire.

Haasan's initial comment, intended as a gesture of cultural unity while addressing Shivrajkumar, ignited immediate outrage. Pro-Kannada organizations accused Haasan of belittling the Kannada language, with threats of protests and bans on his upcoming film, 'Thug Life.' The Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (KRV) even warned Haasan against insulting Kannada, stating that film promotions shouldn't come at the cost of regional pride.

The controversy quickly escalated into the political arena. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah stated that Haasan was unaware of Kannada's long and rich history. Karnataka BJP chief B Y Vijayendra called Haasan's remarks "the height of arrogance," emphasizing that artists should respect all languages. Calls for an apology from Haasan grew louder, with some demanding an unconditional expression of regret to the Kannadigas.

In response to the uproar, Kamal Haasan clarified that his statement was made "out of love" for Shivrajkumar and his family, emphasizing the close relationship between the two actors and their shared cultural heritage. He further elaborated that politicians, including himself, are not qualified to delve into the complexities of language origins and suggested that such discussions be left to historians, language experts, and archaeologists.

Despite Haasan's clarification, the backlash persisted, with boycott calls gaining traction on social media and some theatre owners facing pressure to not screen 'Thug Life'. Protests were staged in various cities across Karnataka, reflecting the depth of sentiment surrounding the issue.

Amidst this charged atmosphere, the silence of Shivrajkumar, who shared the stage with Haasan when the controversial statement was made, became conspicuous. Demands arose for him to condemn Haasan's words and take a stand in defense of the Kannada language.

However, in a recent statement, Shivrajkumar finally broke his silence, urging people not to make it a big issue. While the details of his complete statement are still emerging, his plea suggests a desire to de-escalate the situation and perhaps find a more nuanced understanding of the matter. It remains to be seen how his intervention will be received by the various parties involved, but it introduces a new dimension to the ongoing debate.

The controversy underscores the sensitivity surrounding language and identity, particularly in a diverse country like India. What might have been intended as a harmless remark has touched upon deep-seated cultural and linguistic pride, highlighting the need for careful and respectful communication, especially in the public sphere. As the situation unfolds, the focus shifts to whether a path towards reconciliation and understanding can be forged, or if the divisions will continue to widen.