Karnataka Congress MLA upset with Rashmika Mandanna for declining invitation for BIFFes

Congress MLA criticises actor Rashmika Mandanna for declining BIFFes invite and identifying as hailing from Hyderabad.

A Congress MLA and a Kannada activist have vented their ire against actress Rashmika Mandanna for declining the invitation to attend the Bengaluru International Film Festival (BIFFes) 2025 and for calling herself as someone from Hyderabad.

Mandya MLA Ravi Kumar Gowda, popularly known as Ravi Ganiga, said Mandanna hails from Kodagu district of Karnataka and she should be taught a lesson for identifying herself as someone from Hyderabad.

"Rashmika Mandanna started her career from Karnataka by debuting in Kannada film Kirik Party. Last time, when she was invited for the film festival, she had said that she stays in Hyderabad," Ganiga told reporters.

The MLA alleged that the actress had said she did not know where Karnataka is and refused to attend the film festival here saying she did not have time.

“One of our MLAs went to her house and invited her several times but she spoke so rudely about Kannada despite growing from Kannada land. Shouldn’t she be taught a lesson?” Ganiga asked.

Warning the Kannada Film Chamber of Commerce (KFFC), the MLA said he will write to the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister asking them to withdraw the subsidies given to the film industry.

The ruling Congress is upset with the film fraternity over the poor turnout at BIFFes.