A Congress MLA has criticised actor Rashmika Mandanna for declining an invitation to attend the International Film Festival in Bengaluru and for referring to herself as someone from Hyderabad.
MLA Ravikumar Gowda Ganiga on Monday accused Rashmika of “disregarding” Kannada and snubbing the government’s invitation to the event, further stating that she “should be taught a lesson.”
Credit: Instagram/rashmika_mandanna
“Rashmika Mandanna started her career in Karnataka by debuting in Kannada film Kirik Party. Last time when she was invited for the Film Festival, she had said that she stays in Hyderabad,” Ganiga told ANI.
The MLA continued, “One of our legislator friends visited her house 10–12 times to invite her, but she refused and even disregarded Kannada, despite growing up in the industry here. Shouldn’t we teach them a lesson?”
Bengaluru | Congress MLA Ravikumar Gowda Ganiga says, "Rashmika Mandanna, who started her career with the Kannada movie Kirik Party in Karnataka, refused to attend the International Film Festival last year when we invited her. She said, 'I have my house in Hyderabad, I don’t know… pic.twitter.com/uftmWfrMZ6
— ANI (@ANI) March 3, 2025
Credit: X/ANI
Rashmika Mandanna's recent statement about being from Hyderabad at an event has sparked controversy. In the clip from a Chhaava pre-release event, Rashmika can be heard saying, “Because I'm from Hyderabad, and I have come alone and today I hope I am a part of all of your family.”
The viral video prompted backlash from several pro-Kannada groups. They’ve launched a campaign against her, arguing that despite starting her career in Kannada cinema, she is now making remarks they deem disrespectful to the language. Karnataka Rakshana Vedike President T.A. Narayan Gowda also addressed the issue, warning Rashmika over her comments.
Rashmika’s team calls the allegations completely false
Credit: Instagram/rashmika_mandanna
According to News18, someone close to her has responded to the allegations calling the news reports “completely false” and without any “element of truth,”. The source said, “This bears reference to certain news reports alleging that Rashmika refused to attend the Bengaluru film festival and made derogatory statements about it and the state. The said news reports are completely false and do not have any element of truth.”
The source added, “The statements attributed to Rashmika Mandanna and the entire story about someone approaching Rashmika Mandanna and she refusing to attend the Bengaluru film festival are incorrect. This statement is being issued for placing the correct facts on record and for quelling any false narratives”.
Credit: Paramvah Studios, Pushkar Films.
Born to Kodava Hindu parents in Virajpet, Karnataka, Rashmika Mandanna was raised in Coorg. She made her acting debut in 2016 with the Kannada film Kirik Party, followed by Chamak in 2017, which further cemented her presence in the industry.
In 2018, she ventured into Telugu cinema with Chalo and later gained widespread recognition with hits like Geetha Govindam, Dear Comrade, and Sarileru Neekevvaru.
