- By Aarushi Raina
- Sun, 13 Jul 2025 06:23 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
R Madhavan has joined the ongoing debate over the Marathi-Hindi language row. The controversy emerged after a video of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) workers assaulting a food vendor in Bhayander for allegedly refusing to speak Marathi went viral. The incident sparked protests from local trader groups, who criticised the MNS’s aggressive tactics and led to a debate over language. This was followed by a rally staged by the MNS, defending the use of Marathi in public dealings and businesses across Maharashtra. Amid this, Madhavan shared his experience and revealed that he has never faced any issues related to language.
R Madhavan opened up about how language has never been a barrier in his life, neither knowing it nor because of not knowing it. He told IANS, "No, I have never experienced it. I speak Tamil. I speak Hindi. And I have studied in Kolhapur also. I have learnt Marathi also. So, I have never had any problem because of language. Neither because of knowing it nor because of not knowing it."
Prior to Madhavan, Shilpa Shetty also commented on the language row. During the teaser launch event of the upcoming movie KD-The Devil, she reacted by saying, "Mala Marathi mahit ahe, me Maharashtra chi mulgi ahe. (“I can speak Marathi. I am Maharashtra’s daughter.)”
ALSO READ: ‘Me Maharashtra Chi Mulgi Ahe’: Shilpa Shetty Reacts To Marathi-Hindi Language Row
Earlier, Janhvi Kapoor's rumoured boyfriend Shikhar Pahariya also shared his take on the controversy. His post on Instagram read, “Asmita, a sense of self and identity, should uplift, not divide. It should give us pride, not prejudice, no matter where in India we are from or what language we speak. Marathi Asmita is real. It is deep, emotional, and rooted in our way of life.”
He added, "Marathi Asmita is real. It is deep, emotional, and rooted in our way of life. As someone from Solapur, I understand this deeply. Language shapes who we are, it has shaped our states, our stories, given us poets, songs, and revolutions. Marathi is no exception. It must be preserved, protected, and passed on, just like all of our languages. But that pride cannot come at the cost of others' dignity, especially others who are making an honest, hard living."
Check out his full post below:
View this post on Instagram
Many celebrities have come forward to express their thoughts over the ongoing Hindi-Marathi language debate.
Meanwhile, on the work front, R Madhavan is garnering praise for his performance in Aap Jaisa Koi, co-starring Fatima Sana Shaikh in the lead role. The romantic drama is streaming on Netflix. Produced by Karan Johar's Dharmatic Entertainment and directed by Vivek Soni.
