Kodava Artistes Respond to Rashmika Mandanna’s ‘Only Actress from Coorg’ Remark

Kodava actors Neravanda Prema, Nidhi Subbaiah, and Harshika Poonacha responded to Rashmika Mandanna’s recent remark, offering both clarification and support.

Kodava Artistes Respond to Rashmika Mandanna’s ‘Only Actress from Coorg’ Remark

Bengaluru: Several artistes from the Kodava community have responded to actor Rashmika Mandanna’s recent claim that she is the "only actress from Coorg." While acknowledging that her statement was factually incorrect, they have expressed that it may not have been made with any ill intent.

Senior Kannada actor Neravanda Prema, who gained fame in the 1990s and early 2000s, told multiple media outlets that the community is already aware of the contributions made by Kodava artistes to the film industry. “What is there for me to say? The Kodava community knows the truth. You should ask her (Rashmika) about her version of the statement. What can I say about it?” she remarked.

Prema further pointed out that long before Rashmika’s entry into films, several Kodavas had already made their mark. “Before me, there was an actor Shashikala from Coorg who played supporting roles. Then I entered the film industry, and later many Kodavas have done well,” she said. Prema, known for her successful career in Kannada, Telugu, Tamil, and Malayalam cinema, is a recipient of the Karnataka State Film Award and Filmfare Best Actress awards.

ALSO READ: Rashmika Mandanna’s Remark on Being ‘first from Coorg in films’ Triggers Backlash on Social Media

Actor Nidhi Subbaiah, who hails from Kodagu and has worked in both Kannada and Bollywood films, downplayed the controversy. “This should not be a serious issue at all. We should ignore it. She is doing well, and I wish her all the best,” she said, adding, “Prema is the superstar from our community. We always remember her. I don’t know why Rashmika made that comment.”

Kannada actor Harshika Poonacha also came out in support of Rashmika, suggesting the remark may have been unintentional. “Let’s forgive her; maybe it was just a slip of the tongue. But saying she is the first actor from the community in Bollywood isn’t accurate. Gulshan Devaiah has been part of Bollywood for a long time,” she noted.

The controversy began after Rashmika, in an interview with journalist Barkha Dutt, said, “You know, in the Coorg community, nobody has ever entered the film industry. I think I am the first one in our whole community to have entered the industry.”

The statement triggered criticism on social media, with many users highlighting the legacy of several Kodava actors who had entered the industry decades before her.

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