Ajay Devgn vs Kiccha Sudeep Over Hindi as National Language

The hashtag #HindiIsNotNationalLanguage has dominated social media since last night, thanks to Kannada superstar Kiccha Sudeep and Bollywood actor Ajay Devgn. Taking a dig at the Vikrant Rona actor over Hindi being no more national language of India, Ajay tweeted in Hindi in which he said, 'Hindi was, is and always will be our mother tongue and national language'. And now, Twitter is divided by Ajay's statement.

 

Reports suggest that South star Kiccha Sudeep, in an exclusive interview with KarnatakaTak, said, "Hindi is no more a national language." This comes as several South films are breaking records at the box office including RRR, KGF Part 2 and Pushpa. Now, Ajay Devgn deliberately responded to Kiccha Sudeep on Twitter tweeting in Hindi. "Kiccha Sudeep, my brother, according to you, if Hindi is not our national language then why do you release your native language [mother tongue] films by dubbing them in Hindi? Hindi was, is and always will be our mother tongue and national language. Jan Gan Man," he tweeted.

 

 

Replying to Ajay, Kiccha Sudeep wrote in English, "Hello @ajaydevgn sir.. the context to why i said tat line is entirely different to the way I guess it has reached you. Probably wil emphasis on why the statement was made when I see you in person. It wasn't to hurt,Provoke or to start any debate. Why would I sir (sic)."

 

 

 

According to the KarnatakaTak video, Kiccha Sudeep definitely said, "Hindi is no more a national language." However, he goes on to add, "Because we come from South India, they started terming us 'pan-India'. Why isn't Hindi [cinema] being said as pan-India?" Kiccha Sudeep asks, "Which is getting a better response from audiences today?" Sudeep added that a pan-India movie was not the concept because people are just making films which reach everywhere due to dubbing. He explained that way back in the 1970s, China started dubbing Chinese films into English and it was accepted whereas in India the process started quite late. "Language is just a barrier. Today, it is broken. It's no more pan India. (The term) 'Pan India' is coming Mumbai," Sudeep said. This statement did not go down well with Ajay Devgn.

 

 

 

In a series of tweets, Kiccha Sudeep replied to Ajay Devgn's sarcasm. "That's only coz we all have respected, loved and learnt Hindi. No offense sir but was wondering what'd the situation be if my response was typed in Kannada.!! Don't we too belong to India sir?" Sudeep said. Sudeep further said: "I love and respect every language of our country sir. I would want this topic to rest, as I said the line in a totally different context. Mch luv and wshs to you always. Hoping to seeing you soon (sic)."

 

 

 

To this, Devgn replied, "Hi @KicchaSudeep, You are a friend. thanks for clearing up the misunderstanding. I've always thought of the film industry as one. We respect all languages and we expect everyone to respect our language as well. Perhaps, something was lost in translation". Sudeep responded to this and said, "Translation & interpretations are perspectives sir. Tats the reason not reacting without knowing the complete matter,,,matters.:) I don't blame you @ajaydevgn sir. Perhaps it would have been a happy moment if i had received a tweet from u for a creative reason."

 

 

 

There are several section of Twitter who took part in this debate. One section said, "Hindi is not language of India and it is one of the 22 official languages of India. Other section backed the Devgn's stand on Hindi language of India. Several users also that what Ajay Devgn did was a public stint as Runaway 34 is being released next week. 

  

 

Nonetheless, one should use the Indian Film Industry rather than using the term "woods", "pan-India film" because every cinema of India is Indian and not South Indian movies or North Indian movies.

But, what do you think about this debate?