Bengaluru: Kannada superstar Shiva Rajkumar has apologised after his recent comments describing Hindi as a “national language” triggered criticism on social media. The actor made the remark while speaking at the title launch of his upcoming film Original Monster, which marks his entry into Hindi cinema.
The actor’s statement quickly became a subject of debate, particularly among sections of audiences in Karnataka and other southern states, where questions surrounding language identity and the promotion of Hindi have frequently sparked controversy.
Shiva Rajkumar later clarified that he had misspoken and said he intended to refer to Hindi as one of India’s languages rather than call it the country’s national language. He expressed regret over the confusion caused by his statement.
Shiva Rajkumar’s comment at Original Monster launch
The controversy began at the promotional event for Original Monster, where Shiva Rajkumar spoke about his association with Hindi and his upcoming pan-India project.
During the interaction, the actor said Hindi was his second language and that he could speak it. However, while describing the language, he referred to Hindi as a “national language”, a statement that immediately drew attention online.
The comment was particularly significant because Original Monster is expected to expand Shiva Rajkumar’s reach beyond the Kannada film industry. The actor is making his Hindi film debut with the project, making his remarks about Hindi part of a broader conversation around regional cinema entering the national market.
Remark sparks criticism on social media
Soon after the video of the actor’s comments circulated online, several social media users criticised him for describing Hindi as a national language.
The criticism largely centred on India’s linguistic diversity and the distinction between an official language and a national language. Some users argued that the statement could be interpreted as overlooking the importance of regional languages, including Kannada.
Language remains a particularly sensitive subject in Karnataka, where debates over Hindi imposition have periodically led to strong public reactions. Shiva Rajkumar, as one of the most prominent figures in Kannada cinema, has a large following in the state, adding further attention to his comments.
At the same time, the reaction was not entirely negative. Many of the actor’s fans defended him, arguing that the statement appeared to be an inadvertent error rather than an attempt to diminish Kannada or other Indian languages. Reports also noted that supporters highlighted his ability to communicate in Hindi and his efforts to work across language industries.
Actor apologises and explains what he meant
As the controversy continued, Shiva Rajkumar issued an apology and clarified his position.
The actor said he had become confused while referring to the status of Hindi among Indian languages. He explained that he intended to say that Hindi was one of the national languages but used the wrong terminology.
His clarification came soon after the criticism and was aimed at putting an end to the controversy surrounding the statement.
The apology has since shifted the focus from the original remark to the actor’s explanation, with fans and audiences debating whether the comment should be viewed as a simple verbal error.
Original Monster marks a new phase for Shiva Rajkumar
The controversy comes at a significant point in Shiva Rajkumar’s career. Known primarily for his work in Kannada cinema, the veteran actor has increasingly been associated with projects aimed at audiences beyond Karnataka.
Original Monster is expected to be an important step in that transition as the actor makes his Hindi debut. His growing presence in pan-India cinema comes at a time when several South Indian stars have been expanding into Hindi-language projects and nationwide releases.
The film’s title launch also brought attention to Shiva Rajkumar’s comments about language, with the actor discussing his ability to speak Hindi and his connection with audiences outside the Kannada-speaking market.
Why the Hindi remark became controversial
The controversy also highlights the sensitivity surrounding the terminology used to describe India’s languages.
Hindi is one of the official languages of the Union, but it is not constitutionally designated as India’s “national language”. India has a multilingual linguistic landscape, with the Constitution recognising a number of languages in its Eighth Schedule.
Therefore, referring to Hindi as the “national language” can carry a different meaning from describing it as an official language or one of the major languages spoken in the country.
For a prominent actor from Karnataka, the distinction became especially important because language politics has remained a recurring subject of public debate in the state.
Fans continue to support the actor
Despite the backlash, a section of Shiva Rajkumar’s fans came to his defence, suggesting that his wider comments indicated no intention to undermine Kannada or any other regional language.
The actor’s clarification and apology have also provided context to the original statement. Rather than continuing the dispute, Shiva Rajkumar acknowledged the mistake and attempted to explain what he had intended to say.
The episode is unlikely to overshadow his upcoming Hindi debut for long, but it has once again brought the complex relationship between regional cinema, Hindi and pan-India filmmaking into the spotlight.
For Shiva Rajkumar, the immediate focus now returns to Original Monster and his attempt to connect with audiences across linguistic boundaries while continuing to remain one of the most recognisable faces of Kannada cinema.