Rashmika Mandanna Row: bjp, Kodava Groups Guard Actress Amid congress MLA's 'Veiled Risk'


Actress rashmika mandanna has found herself back inside the spotlight in karnataka, with the Kodava community rallying behind her and bjp mla Bharat Shetty stepping in to guard her in opposition to threats from congress mla ravi Kumar Gowda.


The controversy erupted after congress mla ravi ganiga criticized the actress, questioning her absence from the Bengaluru international Film Festival. "Shouldn't we teach them a lesson?" he said, in what many perceived as a veiled risk. ganiga accused Mandanna of disrespecting karnataka and the kannada language after her group allegedly declined the pageant invitation.


Shetty hit again, calling Ganiga's remarks a reflection of the "rowdy" factors within Congress. "Some within the congress are seeking to use Rashmika's call for publicity. In this US of A, each person has the right to determine whether or not to wait for an occasion or no longer. It's far more unacceptable for politicians to problematize threats like this in public. The ones responsible for ensuring protection are rather making threats—this is completely incorrect," he said.


The Kodava rights agency, Codava National Council (CNC), has written to the karnataka home minister as well as the Union domestic ministry, demanding safety for Mandanna, whom they are saying is being unfairly centered. They have additionally entreated the kingdom and principal governments to ensure her protection, cautioning that they may approach the state and national girls's commissions if the problem escalates.


Whilst the actress has now not made a right-away assertion about the controversy, those inside the enterprise argue that attending an occasion is the prerogative of the artist, and no company or government can compel participation—let alone hotel to threats.


Mandanna formerly sparked controversy when she referred to hyderabad as her home throughout a pre-launch occasion for her film Chhaava. In a viral clip, she informed the target audience that she hoped to be part of their circle of relatives as someone from Hyderabad. This statement angered pro-Kannada agencies and lovers, who accused her of distancing herself from her roots in Karnataka.


Mandanna made her cinematic debut with the 2016 kannada movie Kirik Birthday Celebration opposite rakshit Shetty. While she has now not publicly commented on the issue, the speculation has similarly fueled tensions between the industry and the national government.


In the meantime, the debate has spilled over into the broader battle between the karnataka authorities and the kannada movie industry. Deputy leader minister DK Shivakumar's caution to Sandalwood over the poor turnout on the festival has most effectively brought gasoline to the fireplace. His "nut and bolt" observation, extensively visible as a direct threat, has left the enterprise fuming.


"If the government does not provide guidance and permissions, filmmaking cannot show up. I, too, know where to tighten the nuts and bolts and whom to method. Maintain that in thoughts," he stated.


However, several actors from the enterprise instructed  that the tone and tenor of his comment have been not only unsavory but also smacked of political crudeness. The feedback has induced a pointy backlash, with enterprise figures criticizing the Deputy CM's attempt to "sturdy-arm" the fraternity into political compliance.


"The tone is unacceptable. We work inside the industry and feature a status. The situation might also need to be addressed, but the use of language-tightening nuts and bolts is outrageous," kannada actor Neethu Shetty.


Many senior actors, directors, and technicians pointed out that they had not been invited to the event and wondered about the basis of the minister's feedback.


National Award-winning filmmaker Girish Kasaravalli said he was not invited, no matter that his movie Ghatashraddha was screened at the festival. "When the enterprise itself isn't always worth its personal pageant, what message does this ship?" he asked.


Actor-director Kavita Lankesh informed  that regardless of her father P. Lankesh's film Pallavi being screened at the festival, neither her circle of relatives nor her mom, Indira Lankesh, who produced the movie, was invited.


"Even the documentary on Gauri Lankesh (the slain journalist and my sister) has received worldwide awards, which include the 'Great Human Rights Movie' award at the Toronto Girls' movie Competition 2022, yet nobody asked me if it could be screened. Gauri's lifestyles stood for the very subject of the pageant—Sarvajanangada Shantiya thota (Tranquil lawn of numerous people). "But we have not been invited any longer," Lankesh said.


Veteran filmmaker T.S. Nagabharana condemned Shivakumar's choice of words, calling them "inappropriate" and reflective of his political culture. He also criticized the occasion's poor planning, announcing, "Earlier, we individually visited people's homes or referred to them well earlier. Now, if invites are sent at the last minute, how can you expect a full turnout?"


Rajya Sabha mp and kannada actor Jaggesh became greater direct, revealing that invites for the pageant have been dispatched simply an hour earlier than the occasion. "The competition inauguration becomes at 7 pm, and we were given the invitation at 6 pm. Moreover, there is no solidarity, no conversations, and the film artists' association has vanished. For an enterprise inching in the direction of demise and lacking the bolt, there is no need to try to tighten (repair) it," he posted on X.


Shivakumar, in his speech, also accused Sandalwood of ignoring Congress-subsidized projects, in particular the Mekedatu challenge, while it wished support from all quarters.


"We organized a 150-km padayatra beneath the banner Namma Neeru, Namma Hakku (Our Water, Our Right) to make sure drinking water for Bengaluru. Siddaramaiah, I, and others walked in the course of COVID. It was in the hobby of the kingdom, now not for non-public benefit. however except for actors sadhu kokila and (Duniya) Vijay, the kannada film enterprise remained absent," he mentioned.


While the government's attempt to manage the film fraternity has angered many, actress and former mp Divya Spandana (Ramya) supported Shivakumar's issues, even though no longer his language.


"What DK Shivakumar sir stated is genuine; there's nothing incorrect in what he said. As actors, we have a great effect on society. Examine what Dr. Rajkumar did for our kannada language—he stood up for the cause. Nowadays, that type of involvement is missing. We have an obligation—it is our duty to get up for our language, land, lifestyle, and water," ramya wrote on Instagram.


However, she also warned against coercion, announcing, "Actors have ended up with gentle objectives for politicians. I encourage our leaders to refrain from issuing threats and bullying them."


Mandi mp and bollywood actress kangana ranaut also hit out at Shivakumar, accusing him of bullying the film industry. She alleged that congress has a long history of using coercion to govern the arts and cinema.


Chief of opposition R. ashok additionally lashed out earlier, saying, "Does the deputy cm think the movie enterprise is Congress' slave? If ambareesh had been alive nowadays, he could have given Shivakumar a befitting response."


Union minister H.D. Kumaraswamy took an oblique dig at the congress chief, declaring, "The folks that gave congress a mandate additionally understand a way to tighten the nuts and bolts of folks that move the road."


Amid mounting criticism, Shivakumar defended his comments, claiming he became the best talking inside the hobby of the kannada movie industry.


"Perhaps my language turned colloquial; however, I intended no harm. i'm part of this industry-I used to run traveling talkies in Indira Gandhi's name. These days, I own 23 monitors in Bengaluru," he stated.


He additionally discovered that the national authorities are in talks to deliver the international indian Film Academy Awards (IIFA) to Bengaluru on the way to making the town a chief hub for indian cinema.
For more interesting updates wa click and follow Indiaherald WhatsApp channel

Find out more:

BJP

Sudha Subbiah

11/03/2025 07:46 AM