Karnataka Congress MLA Ravikumar Gowda accuses Rashmika Mandanna of disregarding Kannada; says 'should be taught a lesson'

Rashmika Mandanna accused for disrespecting Kannada

Karnataka Congress MLA Ravikumar Gowda Ganiga has strongly criticised actress Rashmika Mandanna for allegedly showing disregard towards the Kannada language and the local film industry. He expressed his discontent, suggesting that she should be "taught a lesson" for her behaviour.

Ganiga, who represents the Mandya constituency in Karnataka, expressed his displeasure over the actor’s actions, questioning whether she should be taught a lesson for disregarding the industry where she first started her career.

Rashmika Mandanna made her film debut in 2016 with the Kannada movie Kirik Party, alongside Rakshit Shetty. However, according to Ganiga, despite her beginnings in the Kannada film industry, the actress reportedly refused to attend the Bengaluru International Film Festival when invited.

He told the reports, "Rashmika Mandanna, who started her career with the Kannada movie Kirik Party in Karnataka, refused to attend the (Bengaluru) International Film Festival last year when we invited her," Ganiga told media representatives at Vidhana Soudha on Monday.

He further claimed that Rashmika showed disrespect towards the Kannada language and the state itself, despite having a strong connection to both. Ganiga asserted that Rashmika was invited several times to the event but consistently refused, citing a lack of time and her residence in Hyderabad.

“She said, ‘I have my house in Hyderabad, I don’t know where Karnataka is, and I don’t have time. I can’t come.’ 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?” Ganiga remarked.

Ganiga believes there should be repercussions for Rashmika’s actions, stating that such behaviour should not go unaddressed.

The BJP quickly responded to the Congress's objections regarding the comments made by MLA Ravikumar Gowda Ganiga, insisting that the legislator must respect the constitution at all times.

BJP leader Rajeev Chandrasekhar took to X to voice his criticism, writing, “You can never separate goon from Rahul Congressman. This pompous overblown #Karnataka MLA from constitution waving @RahulGandhi's party, wants to 'teach a lesson' to an actress. I want to tell @DKShivakumar and @siddaramaiah to read up on the constitution – every citizen, including an actress, has rights, and don’t forget your goon MPA has obligations to respect the law and rights of citizens. If he wants a 'lesson' in the constitution, I/we will be happy to 'teach' this goon – free of charge – anytime, anywhere. Call me! #KnowTheTruth #TruthAboutCorruptCong.”

You can never separate goon from Rahul Congressman.This pompous overblown #Karnataka MLA from constitution waving @RahulGandhi 's party, wants to "teach a lesson" to an actress.I want to tell @DKShivakumar and @siddaramaiah to read up constitution - every citizen including https://t.co/RV27NtFWqL
Rajeev Chandrasekhar (@RajeevRC_X) March 3, 2025

The controversy around Rashmika Mandanna was further fuelled after her statement about being from Hyderabad at a recent event, which sparked objections from some pro-Kannada groups. They launched a campaign against her, highlighting her beginnings in Kannada cinema and accusing her of showing disrespect for the language and the state that helped shape her career.

Karnataka Rakshana Vedike President T A Narayan Gowda also weighed in on the issue, warning Rashmika about her remarks and urging her to be more mindful of her words.