Actress Rashmika Mandanna, who has been actively working in both South and North Indian film industries, recently sparked controversy with her comments at a promotional event in Mumbai. While promoting her latest film Chhava, which released on Friday, the actress stated, “I came from Hyderabad. Seeing the love and affection from the audience here makes me very happy.”
Her remarks have triggered criticism in Karnataka, with several social media users questioning her statement. Many pointed out that Rashmika hails from Virajpet in Karnataka’s Kodagu district, asking, “Since when did Virajpet become Hyderabad?” Some also criticized her for not acknowledging her hometown, stating, “What is the issue in mentioning one’s roots while addressing audiences in other places?”
Rashmika, who made her debut with the Kannada film Kirik Party, gained prominence in Telugu cinema with Chalo and went on to establish herself as a leading actress in the Telugu, Tamil, and Hindi film industries.
This is not the first time she has faced backlash. Previously, following the success of Pushpa: The Rise, she had stated in an interview that her entry into films was due to a beauty contest where her photograph was noticed by a production house. However, she did not mention Paramvah Studios, the banner that launched her career, which led to criticism from Kannada cinema fans. At the time, online campaigns even called for a boycott of her films.
