Congress MLA accuses Rashmika Mandanna
Actress Rashmika Mandanna recently found herself at the center of a controversy after stating that she is “from Hyderabad” during a promotional event for her film Chhaava. This statement angered several pro-Kannada groups, who accused her of disregarding her roots despite starting her career in the Kannada film industry.
Karnataka Congress MLA Ravikumar Gowda Ganiga alleged that Rashmika had refused an invitation from the Karnataka government to attend an International Film Festival in Bengaluru. He claimed that the actress had ignored her connection to Karnataka, despite being born in Coorg and making her debut in the Kannada film Kirik Party. The MLA went further, stating that Rashmika “should be taught a lesson” for her behavior.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) strongly criticized the Congress MLA’s remarks. BJP leader Rajeev Chandrasekhar accused the Congress of attempting to intimidate Rashmika and reminded them that every citizen has the right to express their opinions. He stated that Rashmika, like any other individual, has the freedom to choose where she resides and works.
Congress MLA threatens actor #RashmikaMandanna says, ‘will teach Rashmika a lesson’
One of the MLAs went to her (Rashmika) house & invited her multiple times, but she didn’t turn up… Should we teach her a lesson or not: Ravikumar, Cong MLA.@dpkBopanna joins @Swatij14 with… pic.twitter.com/0pTJc6hQe4
— TIMES NOW (@TimesNow) March 3, 2025
Several Kannada activists launched an online campaign against Rashmika, expressing disappointment over her statement. Karnataka Rakshana Vedike President T.A. Narayan Gowda also weighed in, warning the actress about the backlash she might face from Kannada audiences.
Rashmika Mandanna who hails from Coorg began her acting career with Kannada films but gained wider recognition through Telugu cinema. She made her debut with Kirik Party in 2016 and later starred in successful Kannada films like Chamak. However, she became a household name after appearing in Telugu films such as Geetha Govindam, Dear Comrade and Sarileru Neekevvaru.
Despite her strong Kannada roots, Rashmika has often faced criticism for allegedly distancing herself from the Kannada film industry. Many Kannada fans believe she prioritizes Telugu and Hindi cinema over her home industry which has led to periodic backlash.
This is not the first time Rashmika has faced criticism for her statements. Social media users pointed out that she has previously made similar remarks about Hyderabad, reinforcing the perception that she prefers Telugu cinema over Kannada.
