Bollywood actress and BJP MP Kangana Ranaut hit out at the Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka, DK Shivakumar, over threats to actress Rashmika Mandanna. On Tuesday (March 4), Kangana visited the Sri Hosa Marigudi Temple in Kapu during the Brahmakalashotsava celebrations and while interacting with media persons, she took a stand for Rashmika amid allegations from Karnataka Congress politicians.
"Someone tries to strike tighten the screws...God will save us. God is always standing with all the artists," Kangana said.
For those unversed, Rashmika has found herself at the center of a controversy following allegations that she refused to attend the Bengaluru International Film Festival and disregarded the Kannada language.
The controversy erupted after Karnataka Congress MLA Ravi Ganiga accused the actress of declining multiple invitations to attend the film festival.
During an interaction with the media on March 3, Ganiga alleged, "Rashmika Mandanna, who started her career with the Kannada movie 'Kirik Party,' 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 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 her a lesson?"
The MLA also suggested to the government that it consider withdrawing subsidies given to Rashmika’s films as a consequence of her alleged behavior.
Rashmika's team denies MLA's allegations
Amid the ongoing controversy, a source close to Rashmika has come forward to clarify the situation. According to News 24, the source said, "This refers to certain news reports claiming that Rashmika refused to attend the Bengaluru film festival and made derogatory remarks about it and the state. These reports are completely false and lack any element of truth."
The source further added, "The statements attributed to Rashmika and the entire story about someone approaching her and her refusing to attend the Bengaluru film festival are incorrect. This statement is being issued to set the record straight and dispel any false narratives."
MLA to share proof publically
On March 4, Ganiga said he has proof that Rashmika declined the invitation. While interacting with media persons, he said, "It is not Rashmika's statement but Rashmika's team's statement. We will release the document (proof) publicly that we had invited Rashmika to the film festival (Bengaluru Film Festival) but she refused."
The controversy follows Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar's public disappointment over the low turnout of the Kannada film industry at the festival's inauguration on March 1. Shivakumar had opened up about the importance of the event for the Kannada film fraternity, questioning the absence of actors, directors, and producers.
As of now, Rashmika Mandanna, who has gained national fame with films in Telugu and Hindi, has not personally responded to the allegations made by the MLA.
