Bengaluru, May 29 (Reporter) A pro-Kannada organisation, Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (KRV), has formally filed a complaint against veteran actor Kamal Haasan for his controversial statement on the Kannada language, demanding legal action against the star. The complaint was submitted at the RM Nagar Police Station in Bengaluru, with KRV president Praveen Shetty expressing strong displeasure over Haasan’s claim that "Kannada is born from Tamil." Shetty, on Thursday, said the remark deeply hurt the Kannada language and the sentiments of Kannadigas across the state. Describing the statement as "unlawful," he warned that such remarks risk disturbing the long-standing harmony between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. The controversy ignited after Kamal Haasan made the comment during the audio launch of his latest film Thug Life in Chennai on May 24. His assertion that Kannada originated from Tamil immediately sparked outrage, stirring a storm on social media and beyond. The video clip of Kamal Haasan's statement quickly went viral, triggering a fierce backlash from political leaders and the public in Karnataka. In a rare moment of bipartisan consensus, both Congress and BJP leaders condemned the actor’s claim as "untrue" and offensive. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah showed sympathy towards Haasan, referring to him as "poor Kamal Haasan," while BJP's Leader of the Opposition R Ashoka did not mince words, calling him a "mental patient" for his remarks. Amid mounting criticism, Kamal Haasan sought to downplay the controversy, standing firm and refusing to apologise. Speaking to reporters in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, he insisted that his comments were made "out of love" and based on lessons from several historians about the history of languages. "I didn’t mean anything," he said, adding that political leaders often lack the expertise to comment on linguistic matters. The complaint filed by Karnataka Rakshana Vedike seeks a formal investigation and legal proceedings against Kamal Haasan under relevant laws for allegedly hurting the linguistic pride and sentiments of Kannadigas. The matter has stirred strong emotions across Karnataka, with many demanding a stern response to protect the dignity of the Kannada language and culture. UNI will continue to monitor the developments closely...////...