Shiva Rajkumar’s Hindi ‘National Language’ Comment Sparks Online Backlash Over Original Monster
Kannada superstar Shiva Rajkumar has been dragged into a social media war after his comment about Hindi at the title launch event of his upcoming film Original Monster went viral. Shiva, who has a huge fan following across the country was talking about his ability to speak Hindi dialogues when he said Hindi is national language. The remark soon became the talk of the town and some netizens criticised him for using those words.
The controversy comes at a time when Original Monster is being marketed as pan-India project- R Chandru directed film will be made for a wider audience (it reportedly has Kannada and Hindi too) and so Shiva Rajkumar was asked if he was comfortable speaking Hindi and delivering dialogues in that language.
Shiva Rajkumar’s Hindi Comment Goes Viral
At the event Shiva Rajkumar confidently said Hindi was his second language and he could speak it. He then called it an easy language (“national language”) and said people all over the country would know it because it is “natural”.
The actor seemed to be talking about how much he knows Hindi and how common it is but the part where he referred to it as a “national language” was what soon started discussions online. Video of his comment started circulating on social media and people with different views reacted to it.
Some people on Twitter accused the actor of making an incorrect statement and asked why he called Hindi national language. Several users pointed out that India does not have a constitutionally designated national language and asked the actor to clarify or apologise for his remark.
Not everyone saw it as deliberately provocative, though. Some Shiva Rajkumar’s fans defended him saying that the actor might have just been referring to Hindi as a widely spoken language in India and not making a constitutional claim.
Why The Remark Has Sparked Debate
Language has always been a sensitive subject in India- Hindi and regional languages together are sensitive. Karnataka too had strong language identity debates so comments on Hindi can easily set off a reaction.
So the controversy over Shiva Rajkumar’s statement is not just about the actor himself. For many social media users it is about whether a language is spoken or used widely for communication or if it is recognised as national language officially.
The Constitution of India does not mention Hindi as the “national language”. Hindi (along with English) is used for official purposes at Union level under constitutional and statutory framework also. Several regional languages have constitutional recognition too under Eighth Schedule.
As a result, the actor’s short comment at the event has opened up much bigger discussion online. Critics have been pointing out the terminology he used while supporters say it should be read in the context of a casual conversation about his Hindi-speaking abilities.
Original Monster Marks A Major New Chapter
The controversy comes ahead of the release of Original Monster, one of Shiva Rajkumar’s upcoming projects. The movie directed by R Chandru is being mounted as a pan-India production and will take the actor beyond Kannada film industry.
En ಶಿವಣ್ಣ ಹಿಂದಿ ರಾಷ್ಟ್ರ ಭಾಷೆ ಅಂದ್ರೆ ಏನು ಅರ್ಥ.
— Viper (@LoyalKicchaFan) September 7, 2026
ಇದೇ ವಿಷಯಕ್ಕೆ ಕಿಚ್ಚ ಸುದೀಪ್ ಸರ್ ಅಜಯ್ ದೇವಗನ್ ಗೆ ಬಿಸಿ ಮುಟ್ಟಿಸಿದ್ದು 2022 ಅಲ್ಲಿ .
ಹಿರಿಯ ನಟ ನಿವು ತೆಲುಗು, ತಮಿಳು, ಹಿಂದಿ ಅನ್ಕೊಂಡ್ side role madodhu bidi .#Shivanna respect ↘️ pic.twitter.com/fZ2sDyqmWq
The film reportedly has a story set in the 1990s and 2000 period and deals with power, violence, money and human nature. The title itself has been intriguing as makers have hinted at the idea of a “monster” being within humans.
At the launch Shiva Rajkumar was also asked about the title and whether the film shows darker side of human nature. To this question, the actor said that movie would have entertainment as well as message.
Original Monster is significant for Shiva Rajkumar because it will be his first Hindi film and he’s already one of Kannada cinema’s most respected stars. The film could introduce him to people who haven’t been watching him as much before.
Social Media Debate Continues
For now the Hindi-language controversy is still about Shiva Rajkumar’s words rather than the larger premise of Original Monster. Critics still object to his description of Hindi as a “national language” but his supporters have asked people to take into account the context in which he said it.
It’s another reminder of how language comments can quickly turn ugly in India’s entertainment industry when a major regional star is attached to a pan-India film.
Original Monster is trying to reach audiences in multiple markets so Shiva Rajkumar’s Hindi comment has added fuel to the fire. Whether the controversy dies down or forces the actor to clear the air is yet to be seen but the film has already made a lot of noise before release.
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