Vijay Sethupathi, during a press conference for the film 'Merry Christmas' with Katrina Kaif and director Sriram Raghavan, responded strongly to a loaded question about Hindi.
The actor asserted that Tamil Nadu has never opposed Hindi as a language but has consistently opposed Hindi imposition. He emphasized the distinction between opposing the language itself and resisting attempts to enforce it.
Sethupathi recalled a similar question posed to Aamir Khan, criticizing the repetition of an irrelevant inquiry.
He clarified that people in Tamil Nadu are open to learning Hindi, and there is no opposition to individuals choosing to study the language voluntarily.
The context of Sethupathi's response lies in the historical political stance of Tamil Nadu against the imposition of Hindi, which has been a central theme in the state's politics for 75 years.
The actor's retort underscores the nuanced and long-standing debate over language politics in Tamil Nadu. While he acknowledges the acceptance of Hindi learning, his emphasis on opposing imposition aligns with the state's history of safeguarding its linguistic and cultural identity.
Sethupathi's response reflects a broader sentiment in the region, where language has been a significant aspect of identity and cultural pride.
'Merry Christmas,' a Tamil-Hindi bilingual directed by Sriram Raghavan.
As the cast and crew engage in promotional events, Vijay Sethupathi's assertive stance on language politics adds an unexpected dimension to the film's publicity.
