Karnataka Congress MLA Ravi Ganiga has stirred controversy by criticising actress Rashmika Mandanna for allegedly refusing to attend the Bengaluru International Film Festival in the state despite being invited multiple times.
While interacting with media persons on Monday (March 3), Ganiga said, "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 revealed that he had suggested to the government to cancel subsidies given to Rashmika's films as a consequence of her alleged behaviour.
The actress, who has since gained national fame with films in multiple languages, including Telugu and Hindi, has not yet responded to Ganiga's allegations.
DK Shivakumar criticises film industry
This comes after Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar expressed disappointment with the Kannada film industry's low turnout at the inauguration of the 16th Bengaluru International Film Festival on Saturday (March 1).
Addressing the gathering, Shivakumar highlighted the importance of the festival for the Kannada film fraternity and criticised the absence of industry members.
"At today’s event, only 10 of you among the prominent faces are present. This is not Siddaramaiah's or my private event, nor is it a family function of actors Sadhu Kokila and Kishore. This is an industry event. If actors, directors, and producers don't attend, who else will?" he had said.
A few days back, Rashmika stirred controversy with her statement at an event, where she referred to herself as being from Hyderabad. This comment drew backlash from certain pro-Kannada groups, who criticised the actress for disregarding her roots. They pointed out that Rashmika began her film career in the Kannada industry and expressed disappointment over what they perceived as a disrespectful remark towards Kannada.
