Kannada Star's 'National Language' Remark Ignites Firestorm

Kannada actor Shiva Rajkumar is at the center of a language controversy following remarks made at the launch event for his film 'Original Monster.' When asked about speaking Hindi dialogues for the pan-India project, Rajkumar stated, "Hindi is my second language... it is an easy language, the national language." This comment has since drawn backlash on social media.

Fans of the actor have defended his statement, interpreting it as a reflection of Hindi's broad accessibility across India. The controversial comments were made during the title launch of 'Original Monster,' a collaboration with filmmaker R Chandru. This multilingual action drama, set between the 1990s and 2000s, explores themes of strength and human nature and represents Rajkumar's entry into Hindi cinema.

The film, directed by R Chandru, began production recently in Bengaluru. The movie's title, 'Original Monster,' refers to the potential for a 'monster' within humanity. Rajkumar also addressed comparisons to Salman Khan's upcoming film of the same name, clarifying that the stories are distinct and expressing a desire to collaborate with Khan in the future.