Kamal Haasan faces backlash over ‘banana’ joke with Trisha

Veteran actor and filmmaker Kamal Haasan has found himself at the center of a social media uproar following a controversial remark made about his Thug Life co-star Trisha Krishnan during a recent promotional event for the Mani Ratnam-directed film.

The joke

The incident unfolded when Trisha was asked about her favorite food. She responded with a lighthearted answer: “I like eating them all, but I like boiled banana more. What’s it called?”—referring to pazham pori, a popular South Indian banana fritter.

Kamal Haasan chimed in with a cheeky remark: “She doesn’t know the name but likes putting it in her mouth,” followed by a playful pat on Trisha’s knee.

While the moment appeared to be shared in jest—with Trisha laughing it off and the host quickly changing the subject—it didn’t sit well with many online viewers.

Viral on social media

A clip of the exchange quickly went viral on social media, drawing a wave of criticism. Several netizens labeled Haasan’s comment as “inappropriate” and “disrespectful,” sparking debates over decorum, humor, and boundaries in public interactions—especially between industry veterans and younger co-stars.

On the other hand, a segment of fans came to Haasan’s defense, arguing that the remark was a harmless joke taken out of context and highlighting Trisha’s apparent comfort in the moment as evidence that no offense was intended or taken.

As Thug Life gears up for release, the controversy threatens to overshadow the film’s promotional campaign. So far, neither Kamal Haasan nor Trisha Krishnan has publicly addressed the incident, but with the online discourse continuing to gain traction, many are watching closely to see if a formal response will be made to redirect the focus back to the film itself.