India, May 30 -- The chorus demanding an apology from actor-politician Kamal Haasan grew louder on Thursday, with Karnataka's Kannada and Culture Minister Shivaraj Tangadagi formally backing the call initiated by pro-Kannada groups, the BJP, and the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC). The actor is facing a massive backlash over his recent claim that "Kannada was born out of Tamil," a statement that has sparked widespread outrage across the state.

The KFCC, after holding a meeting with key stakeholders in the film industry, announced that it would not permit the release of Haasan's upcoming film Thug Life in Karnataka unless he tenders a public apology by May 30. Chamber president M Narasimhalu told reporters that efforts are under...