At the much-anticipated trailer launch of Son of Sardaar 2, Ajay Devgn stole the spotlight not just with his film but with a sharp-witted remark that lit up the room and social media alike. In response to a question about the ongoing Marathi versus Hindi language debate in Maharashtra, Devgn leaned into his Singham roots and declared with a smirk, “The only answer I can give about the language thing is — ‘Aata Maajhi Satakli’,” while striking the iconic pose from Singham. His punchline may have been brief, but it struck a powerful chord, offering a moment of levity in the midst of a divisive cultural storm that’s been brewing in Maharashtra. The state has become ground zero for a linguistic turf war, where demands for prioritising Marathi have clashed with the everyday realities of a multilingual urban population. At the heart of the controversy are allegations against political groups like Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), who are reportedly pressuring businesses and individuals to favour Marathi in signage and communication. The debate has raised critical questions about linguistic identity, inclusivity, and the role of Hindi in one of India’s most cosmopolitan states. Veteran playback singer Udit Narayan weighed in with a balanced take, telling IANS, “We live in Maharashtra and it is my ‘Karma Bhoomi’. So, the language here is also important. Along with that, all the languages in our country are equally important.” His response subtly highlighted India’s rich linguistic diversity without picking sides. Meanwhile, entrepreneur and Janhvi Kapoor’s rumoured beau, Shikhar Pahariya, delivered a poignant and widely-shared note on Instagram. Embracing the emotion of Marathi Asmita, or Marathi pride, Shikhar wrote, “It is deep, emotional, and rooted in our way of life.” But he was quick to caution, “That pride cannot come at the cost of others’ dignity… We cannot keep a language alive through fear.” Drawing from his own roots in Solapur, he pointed out the double standards in how migrants to Maharashtra are treated versus how Marathi speakers are welcomed across India. “Imagine if they were made to feel unwelcome there,” he mused, condemning the use of force to impose linguistic preferences. He signed off with a moving plea for unity: “Let our Marathi Asmita shine through inclusion, not intimidation. Let us protect Marathi by celebrating it, not weaponising it.” As the language debate continues to divide opinions, voices like Devgn, Narayan, and Pahariya offer a much-needed reminder: pride in one’s language should unite, not divide.