A day after raging controversy erupted over actor and politician Kamal Haasan's comment linking the origin of Kannada language to Tamil, the Thug Life star has reacted to his initial statement. On Wednesday, talking to reporters, Haasan clarified that his statement was made "out of love." Urging that such sensitive subjects be left to experts, Haasan said politicians -- including himself -- are not qualified to engage in academic discussions about language history.

Kamal Haasan reacts to language controversy

"What I said was out of love, and a lot of historians have taught me language history. I didn't mean anything," Haasan said.

Haasan pointed out that leaders from various linguistic and regional backgrounds have served as the state's Chief Ministers and said, "Tamil Nadu is a state where a Menon (MG Ramachandran) has been our Chief Minister, where a Reddy (Omandur Ramasamy Reddiyar) has been our Chief Minister, a Tamil (M Karunanidhi) has been our CM, and a Kannadiga Iyengar (J Jayalalithaa) has been our CM."