Why is Rashmika Mandanna at the center of a political controversy?

Dubai: Kannada film star Rashmika Mandanna has found herself at the center of a political storm after Karnataka Congress MLA Ravi Ganiga accused her of disrespecting the Kannada film industry by allegedly refusing to attend the Bengaluru International Film Festival.

The legislator from Mandya questioned whether the actress needed to be "taught a lesson" for ignoring the industry that launched her career.

Mandanna, who rose to fame with her debut in the 2016 Kannada film Kirik Party, allegedly declined multiple invitations to the event, despite her roots in Karnataka’s film industry.

Addressing the media at Vidhana Soudha, Ganiga expressed his frustration, stating, “We invited Rashmika Mandanna to last year’s Bengaluru International Film Festival, but she refused to attend.”

According to him, the actress dismissed repeated requests, allegedly telling officials that she had no time for Karnataka.

“She said, ‘I live in Hyderabad, I don’t know where Karnataka is, and I have no time to come.’ One of our legislators visited her house 10 to 12 times to invite her, yet she ignored the requests. She has turned her back on Kannada cinema despite starting her career here. Shouldn’t we respond to this?” Ganiga asked.

The MLA suggested that Mandanna’s actions should have consequences.

However, sources close to the actress dismissed these claims, calling them false and misleading in several reports.

“The statements attributed to Rashmika Mandanna are entirely inaccurate. The claim that she was approached multiple times and refused to attend the film festival is baseless,” a source clarified.

Ganiga’s remarks have triggered a backlash, particularly from the BJP. Former Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar condemned the Congress MLA, calling him a “pompous, overblown Karnataka MLA” and asserting that actors, like any other citizens, have the right to make their own choices.

The controversy comes amid a broader debate on the role of Kannada cinema stars in supporting state events. Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar recently criticised Kannada actors for their absence at the inauguration of the 16th edition of the Bengaluru International Film Festival.

“If actors, producers, and directors don’t support this event, what is the purpose of hosting an international film festival? This is a warning or a request to the Film Chamber and Academy—cinema doesn’t belong to a select few; it thrives with government support,” Shivakumar stated, adding that he would take necessary action if needed.